Spain to Relocate Iraq Troops Amid Iran Conflict Risks

Spain plans to relocate its troops stationed in Iraq in the coming days due to escalating risks linked to the Iran conflict and wider Gulf tensions, Defence Minister Margarita Robles said.

Spain’s government confirmed that its military personnel deployed in Iraq will be moved as a precautionary measure amid growing instability in the region. Robles did not specify the new locations where the troops would be transferred.

Approximately 300 Spanish troops are currently stationed in Iraq. They serve under two separate frameworks: the international coalition formed in 2015 under Operation Inherent Resolve to combat the Islamic State, and a NATO mission established in 2018 to advise and train Iraqi government forces.

The relocation follows an earlier precaution taken by Spain’s defense authorities. On Sunday, a special forces unit consisting of 71 soldiers was temporarily repositioned after operational conditions made it difficult to carry out training missions with Iraqi counter-terrorism units.

The ministry indicated that the security environment had deteriorated to a point where standard military training and advisory activities were no longer feasible in certain areas.

The decision comes amid a broader escalation in the Middle East, where the conflict involving Iran has entered its third week and continues to expand geographically. Spain has publicly criticized the ongoing offensive and has also restricted the use of jointly operated military bases in southern Spain by U.S. aircraft.

Other NATO allies have taken similar steps in response to rising risks. Germany has withdrawn troops from Lebanon and from the Erbil region in northern Iraq, while Norway has begun relocating some of its approximately 60 personnel stationed in the Middle East.

Security concerns have intensified following recent incidents, including a drone attack in northern Iraq that resulted in the death of a French soldier and injuries to six others. Such events have added to fears that the conflict could further destabilize military operations and personnel across the region.