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NATO Expands Scope of Missions in Iraq

Passengers at Baghdad International Airport on Tuesday. (AFP)
Passengers at Baghdad International Airport on Tuesday. (AFP)
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NATO Expands Scope of Missions in Iraq

Passengers at Baghdad International Airport on Tuesday. (AFP)
Passengers at Baghdad International Airport on Tuesday. (AFP)

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discussed Tuesday with Commander of NATO Mission Iraq - NMI, Lieutenant General Giovanni Iannucci, initiating new projects in the country.

The meeting reviewed NATO’s mission tasks in Iraq in training the Iraqi security forces and providing military advice in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and the National Security Advisory, according to a statement by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.

Lannucci hailed the fruitful cooperation between the concerned Iraqi authorities and the NATO mission in Iraq in facilitating the mission’s tasks to achieve its goals. He highlighted the significance of Iraq’s security and stability to the region and NATO.

Lannucci said the Alliance seeks to consolidate ties with Iraq in the next stage on the political level, and not be limited to the military and security level.

Expanding the scope of work of the NMI came amid heated debate over the US presence in Iraq. While the armed factions reject the US presence in Iraq, they don’t object on NATO’s activities although the US is part of it and most of the NATO tasks in Baghdad are with the US participation or in coordination with the Alliance secretary general.

The NATO Mission-Iraq was established in 2004 to train the Iraqi forces following a decision by US Governor Paul Bremer to dissolve the army in wake of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.

It later expanded its scope of work to include logistics support in coordination with the Multi-National Force – Iraq led by the US.

Despite Iraq’s defeat of ISIS at the end of 2017, the group can still carry out activities in several Iraqi provinces mainly Kirkuk, Diyala, Salah Al-Din, and Al Anbar.

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UN Envoy: What We See in Syria is a Mark of Collective Failure

Resolution 2254 was adopted by the Security Council on 18 December 2015 (UN archive)
Resolution 2254 was adopted by the Security Council on 18 December 2015 (UN archive)
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UN Envoy: What We See in Syria is a Mark of Collective Failure

Resolution 2254 was adopted by the Security Council on 18 December 2015 (UN archive)
Resolution 2254 was adopted by the Security Council on 18 December 2015 (UN archive)

United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said on Sunday he is closely monitoring the situation on the ground in Syria, where a dramatic shift in frontlines was seen in recent days.
“What we see in Syria today is a mark of a collective failure to bring about what has plainly been required now for many years – a genuine political process to implement Security Council resolution 2254,” the envoy said in a statement.
Pedersen noted that in Syria, a country torn by nearly 14 years of war and conflict, the latest developments pose severe risks to civilians and have serious implications for regional and international peace and security.
As an immediate priority, he said, “I strongly emphasize the urgent need for all to uphold their obligations under international law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
“This is a clear message to all parties engaged in hostilities of any kind. I will continue to push for civilian protection and deescalation,” the envoy added.
Pedersen then recalled the times he repeatedly warned of the risks of escalation in Syria, of the dangers of mere conflict management rather than conflict resolution, and the reality that no Syrian party or existing grouping of actors can resolve the Syrian conflict via military means.
“I call for urgent and serious political engagement – among Syrian and international stakeholders - to spare bloodshed and focus on a political solution in accordance with Security Council resolution 2254,” he said.
The envoy then affirmed his will to continue to engage all parties and stand ready to use my good offices to convene international and Syria stakeholders in new and comprehensive peace talks on Syria.
Presented by the US, Resolution 2254 was adopted by the Security Council on 18 December 2015.
It emphasizes the need for all parties in Syria to take confidence building measures to contribute to the viability of a political process and a lasting ceasefire, and calls on all states to use their influence with the Syrian government and the opposition to advance the peace process, confidence building measures and steps towards a ceasefire.
The resolution also expresses support for a Syrian-led political process that is facilitated by the UN and, within a target of six months, establishes credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance and sets a schedule and process for drafting a new constitution.
Since the adoption of the resolution, Geneva has hosted several meetings of the parties involved in the conflict in Syria. However, those parties failed to reach an agreement, especially after Moscow established in 2017 the Astana dialogue followed in 2018 by the Sochi process.
Resolution 2254 calls on the release of any arbitrarily detained persons, particularly women and children, and on the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) states to use their influence immediately to these ends.
It demands that all parties immediately cease any attacks against civilians and civilian objects as such, including attacks against medical facilities and personnel, and any indiscriminate use of weapons, including through shelling and aerial bombardment.