“The United States is taking part in the deployment process for the NATO mission to Iraq and will do its fair share in this important extended mission,” said Pentagon spokesman Cmdr. Jessica L. McNulty told CNN. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with his NATO counterparts during a meeting with defense ministers on Thursday.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference on Thursday that the NATO mission would increase in size from 500 staff members to about 4,000.
“The US and its partners in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS remain committed to ensuring the lasting defeat of ISIS, and the Department looks forward to continued consultations with Iraq, NATO and the Global Coalition going forward,” McNulty added.
Austin welcomed the expanded role of the NATO mission in Iraq, according to a reading of the talks delivered by the Pentagon. He expressed “confidence that all the work done so far with the Iraqi government and security forces will lead to a self-sustaining mission.”
Stoltenberg stresses the importance of the NATO mission to prevent the revival of ISIS.
“Not so long ago, ISIS controlled the area as large as the United Kingdom and about 8 million people. They lost control,” Stoltenberg said. “But ISIS is still there. ISIS is still operating in Iraq, and we need to make sure they can not return. And we are also seeing an increase in attacks by ISIS. And that only emphasizes the importance of strengthening the Iraqis. power. “
The increase in NATO forces would be incremental and come at the request of the Iraqi government, he added.
Trump’s acting secretary of defense, Christopher Miller, advocated the withdrawal of troops before Biden took office as a sign of the mission’s success, saying: ‘Reducing US military levels in Iraq reflects the increased capabilities of the Iraqi security forces. to lower power levels is proof of real progress. ‘
In early February, Austin announced a global review force in which military leaders would examine U.S. troop levels around the world, including the ‘military footprint, resources, strategy and missions’.
Austin emphasizes the importance of alliances and partnerships as part of the review.
“From Afghanistan and the Middle East, across Europe, Africa and our own hemisphere, to the vast expanse of the Western Pacific, the United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder with allies old and new, large and small partners. , “Austin said. “Each of them brings unique skills, knowledge and abilities to the mission. And each represents a relationship that is worth nurturing, preserving and respecting. We will do it.”
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said no final decisions or recommendations had been made as part of the global review of the attitude.