The NATO mission in Iraq, established in 2018 at the request of the Iraqi government, operates in a non-combat advisory capacity aimed at strengthening the country’s security institutions.
The developments follow a sharp escalation in regional tensions after joint military strikes by Israel and the United States targeted sites in Iran in late February. The strikes reportedly killed senior Iranian leadership figures, including the country’s supreme leader, along with military commanders and civilians.
In response, Iran is said to have launched multiple waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli territory and US military assets across the region, raising fears of a broader conflict.
Against this backdrop, the withdrawal of Polish and NATO personnel underscores mounting concerns over the security environment in Iraq and the wider Middle East, even as officials emphasise that the move is temporary and subject to review.
With IANS inputs