ERBIL — The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will expand its mission in Iraq to help the country’s security forces in fighting extremism.
“While the security situation remains challenging, NATO remains committed to stepping up our support,” Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday after a two-day meeting of western military alliance defense ministers.
“Our aim is to help build self-sustaining Iraqi forces able to fight terrorism, prevent the return of ISIS, and stabilize their country,” Stoltenberg added, noting that the scope of the mission’s upgrading will be decided at a meeting of alliance defense ministers in February.
The NATO Secretary General also discussed the recent attacks on foreign forces and diplomatic missions in Iraq, saying the attacks were concerning for the NATO mission as well.