Amer al-Faez, a member of the Iraqi Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee, said on Friday that “the increase in the number of NATO forces in Iraq is unjustified,” stressing that the country “does not need any foreign forces.”
“Iraqi security forces are capable of deterring any aggression against the country, and they have proven this during the war against Daesh,” Faez added. “Therefore, I do not see any need for the presence of any foreign troops, either from NATO or other forces.” Faez said the Iraqi parliament will inquire the government about its request for an increase in the number of NATO forces, and the reasons why it has circumvented the legislature in this regard.
Stoltenberg told reporters at the conclusion of a two-day virtual NATO defense ministers meeting on February 18 that the Western military alliance will expand its mission in Iraq.
“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 said. Läs artikel