Italy takes command of the NATO Mission Iraq

(To Greater Defense)
12/05/22

"Italy at the command of NATO Mission Iraq confirms the excellence of our country's Armed Forces at the international level". Thus the Minister of Defense Lorenzo Guerini on the assumption of command of the NATO Mission Iraq by Italy. 

The minister extended his best wishes to the general of the army corps Giovanni Maria Iannucci - who takes over from lieutenant general Michael Lollesgaard (Denmark) - and to the Italian continent engaged in Iraq. 

The rotation ceremony, presided over by deputy supreme allied commander Europe, General Tim Radford, took place in Union 3 base, headquarters of the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) Headquarters, in the presence of the Ambassador of Italy to the Republic of Iraq, Maurizio Greganti and the ambassadors of the other accredited NATO countries . 

Also present were the Iraqi Defense Chief of Staff, General Yarallah and the Joint Chief Operating Officer, Army Corps General Francesco Paolo Figliuolo. 

The NATO mission in Iraq is a non-combatant assistance and training mission that aims to support Iraq in strengthening its institutions and security forces, so that they themselves are able to stabilize their country, fight terrorism and prevent the return of Daesh. 

Launched during the 2016 NATO Summit at the request of Baghdad to provide support to the global coalition against Daesh, in 2018 NMI saw the spectrum of activities offered to the host country broaden, with an increase in those aimed at assistance, training and capacitive development. At the request of the Iraqi government, the mission was expanded in February 2021, reaching its current capacity. 

The NMI is carried out in full respect of the sovereignty of the country and its territorial integrity, in continuous contact with local authorities, and in close coordination with the NATO operation Inherent Resolve, the UN, the EU and other agencies operating in the country.