Spain has temporarily relocated its special forces from Iraq due to deteriorating security conditions and concerns over the safety of ongoing operations, the Spanish Ministry of Defense announced.
According to the ministry, the Special Operations Group was moved to secure locations after the situation made it impossible to continue training missions with Iraqi forces under safe conditions. Authorities confirmed that all personnel are safe.
Spain currently deploys around 300 military personnel in Iraq as part of the international coalition against the so-called Islamic State group. Spanish Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) units have been responsible for training Iraqi counter-terrorism forces in Baghdad and at bases located in Kurdish-controlled areas.
The Ministry of Defense did not specify where the forces were relocated.
Spain has maintained a continuous military presence in Iraq since 2015 as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the US-led coalition established to combat ISIS and support Iraqi security forces.
