On Thursday (5 November 2026), a delegation of high-level Iraqi officials, led by National Security Adviser, Qasim Al-Abud, visited NATO Headquarters in Brussels. They met with Allies and members of NATO's International Staff, including the Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Dr. Christian Buck. They exchanged views on the NATO-Iraq partnership, the prospects for long-term cooperation, as well as on other topics of mutual interest, including regional security.
NATO-Iraq cooperation combines political dialogue, which was launched in August 2024, with practical support. Since 2018, at the request of the Iraqi authorities, NATO's non-combat advisory and capacity building mission, NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) has helped Iraq build more sustainable, transparent, inclusive and effective security institutions and armed forces, to stabilise their country, fight terrorism, and prevent the return of ISIS/Daesh. All of NMI's efforts are carried out on request and with the consent of the Iraqi government. They are conducted in full respect of Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "We are proud to work hand-in-hand every day to enable Iraq to build more sustainable, transparent, inclusive and effective armed forces and security institutions," said NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Operations.
In March 2026, in response to the regional security situation, NATO Mission Iraq personnel were relocated from the Middle East to Joint Force Command Naples.
