Nato relocates Iraq mission due to Mideast war

BRUSSELS: Nato said on Friday it was 'adjusting' its mission in Iraq, with a French military source confirming the non-combat force was being temporarily relocated because of the Middle East war.
'We can confirm that we are adjusting our posture in the context of Nato Mission Iraq', alliance spokesperson Allison Hart said, AFP, declining to provide further details for security reasons.
Nato was 'working in close coordination with Allies and partners' on the matter, she said in a statement.
The Nato mission is headquartered in an Iraqi military base in Baghdad's Green Zone near the US embassy, which since the start of the war has been targeted multiple times.
According to its website, the mission established in 2018 currently has several hundred personnel from allies and partner countries Austria and Australia.
It has been headed since May 2025 by a General Christophe Hintzy from France. A French military source said the mission was 'continuing but being relocated'.
'They were stationed in Baghdad. A decision was taken to relocate them in line with Nato's posture regarding non-combat missions. Given the current threat environment, it is less relevant to keep them in place', the source said. — AFP