Spain: Iraq not ready for our troops to withdraw

The time to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq has not come yet, the head of the team of Spanish military trainers in Iraq Brigadier General Luis Zaldumbide said yesterday.

Iraqi media quoted the official saying the Iraqi army is now able to maintain the country’s security.

Spanish forces have supported the Iraqi army since 2014 and promoted their ability to become able to afford security in the country.

“Despite the reports about defeating ISIS [Daesh] in the region, it is necessary to continue supporting the Iraqi army strongly,” he said.

Read: Iraq declares final victory over Daesh

He noted that Spain has 541 soldiers in Iraq and they have trained more than 20,000 Iraqi soldiers, including 7,000 policemen. In addition, they trained Iraqi brigades that fought against Daesh.

Currently 1,900 Iraqi soldiers and policemen are working under the guardianship of Spanish forces across Iraq, he explained.

Thirty more Spanish troops are expected to arrive in Iraq soon.