NATO Announces Major Expansion Of Its Mission In Iraq

 

CNBC: NATO announces expanded mission in Iraq on the heels of deadly rocket attack 

 * NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the military alliance will expand its security training mission in Iraq. 

 * The decision to expand NATO’s footprint in Iraq comes on the heels of a deadly rocket attack in the city of Irbil. 

 * The United States has 2,500 troops in Iraq. 

WASHINGTON – NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced Thursday that the 30-member alliance will expand its security training mission in Iraq in order to prevent the war-torn country from becoming a safe haven for international terrorists. 

"The size of our mission will increase from 500 personnel to around 4,000 and training activities will now include more Iraqi security institutions and areas beyond Baghdad,” Stoltenberg told reporters at the conclusion of a two-day virtual NATO defense ministers meeting. 

“Our presence is conditions-based and increases in troop numbers will be incremental,” he said, adding that the request for an expanded mission was made by the Iraqi government. 

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WNU Editor: This is definitely a major increase (from 500 to 4000). 

 More News On NATO Announcing A Major Expansion Of Its Mission In Iraq 

NATO boosts Iraq mission with thousands of personnel -- Military Times/AP 

NATO to expand Iraq mission to around 4,000 personnel -- France 24 

NATO to send up to 3,500 more troops to Iraq -- Middle East Monitor 

Nato increases troop numbers in Iraq to combat threat from Islamic State -- Middle East Eye 

NATO to expand its training mission in Iraq to 4,000 troops -- Al-Monitor 

NATO allies plan expansion of Iraq mission, possibly easing US security burden -- Stars and Stripes 

NATO to Increase Troops in Iraq From 500 to 4,000 Amid Daesh Resurgence, Stoltenberg Says -- Sputnik

NATO May Increase Troops In Iraq To As Many As 5,000

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited the Besmaya Range Complex in Iraq on March 2018. File photo: Spc. Antonio Lewis/ US Army

Reuters: NATO to agree larger Iraq training force as violence rises 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO defence ministers are set to expand the military alliance’s training mission in Iraq once the coronavirus pandemic eases, senior officials and diplomats said, potentially cementing a broader role for the Atlantic alliance in the Middle East. 

Ministers are set to agree plans on Thursday during a video conference, potentially taking the mission from its current maximum of some 500 troops to around 4,000 or 5,000, four diplomats said. 

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday he expected defence ministers to agree to an expanded mission, with more allied personnel working in more security institutions across Iraq. “The mission will expand gradually, in response to the situation,” he said. 

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Update: NATO may increase troops in Iraq to as many as 5,000: diplomats (RUDAW) 

WNU Editor: This is what I call "mission creep".