France takes command of NATO Mission Iraq
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- French
On Thursday 22 May, Major General Christophe Hintzy from France assumed command of NATO Mission Iraq, at a change of command ceremony in Baghdad. He succeeds Lieutenant General Lucas Schreurs from the Netherlands, who had been in post since May 2024. The ceremony was attended by Iraqi officials, Ambassadors from Allied and partner countries, NATO officials, and other representatives from the international community in Baghdad.
“For France and for me personally, it is an honour and immense privilege to take over command of the NATO Mission in Iraq, a country often regarded as the cradle of civilization,” Major General Hintzy said. “Together with Iraqi security institutions and Iraqi Security Forces, we share a common goal. Our success will never be an individual success, but rather a collective one to develop tailored and sustainable solutions that will help Iraq as a valued partner for NATO,” he pointed out.
The outgoing commander, Lieutenant General Lucas Schreurs, thanked his Iraqi counterparts for their hospitality and excellent cooperation and praised them for their commitment to the cooperation with NATO and to further strengthening the Iraqi security forces and institutions. “To our Iraqi partners — your resilience and leadership inspire us. We have learned much from you, and it has been a privilege to serve alongside you. To our Allies and partners — thank you for investing in Iraq’s future and in our shared security,” he said. “Christophe, I pass this command to you with full confidence. You inherit a team of dedicated professionals and a resilient network of partnerships. I know you will lead with vision and respect for both NATO’s principles and the Iraqi context. This mission is about people — about trust, support, and sovereignty. I know you will carry it forward with the integrity it deserves,” Lieutenant General Schreurs added.
At the NATO Summit in Brussels in July 2018, Allied leaders launched NATO Mission Iraq, following a request and upon invitation from the Government of Iraq. The mission was established in Baghdad, in October 2018. It is a non-combat, advisory, and capacity-building mission that assists Iraq in building more sustainable, transparent, inclusive and effective security institutions and forces, so that they themselves are able to stabilise their country, fight terrorism, and prevent the return of ISIS/Daesh.
All efforts of NATO Mission Iraq are carried out with the consent of the Iraqi government and conducted in full respect of Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ahead of the change of command ceremony of NATO Mission Iraq, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Tom Goffus, participated in the second meeting of the High-Level Dialogue for Partnership between NATO and Iraq, held in Baghdad, on 21 May. “This second meeting of the High-Level Dialogue for Partnership, here in Baghdad, is a testimony to our partnership with Iraq and to cementing this dialogue,” he said, adding that “NATO continues to stand prepared to support the Government of Iraq and its security institutions into the future through NATO Mission Iraq.”
The High-Level Dialogue for Partnership between NATO and Iraq was launched in Brussels on 27 August 2024. It provides an additional framework for consultations and exchange of views on issues of mutual interest – including stability across the Middle East.