Spain has announced plans to withdraw approximately 300 soldiers stationed in Iraq in response to the ongoing conflict in Iran and the broader Gulf region. Defense Minister Margarita Robles stated that the troop pullout will occur within the coming days. These soldiers are part of an international coalition against the Islamic State and have been involved in a separate NATO mission advising Iraqi armed forces since 2018.

Prior to this announcement, Spain had already removed a special forces unit of 71 soldiers, as it became impossible for them to carry out their duties, including training Iraqi counter-terrorism forces. The security situation in Iraq has deteriorated, prompting further considerations for military presence, with other countries like Germany also withdrawing troops from Lebanon and Erbil in Northern Iraq, while Norway plans to relocate around 60 soldiers currently in the Middle East.

The implications of these withdrawals highlight the increasing risks and challenges that international forces face in the region amidst escalating violence, including recent drone attacks in Northern Iraq. Such developments could impact the stability in Iraq and the efforts to combat terrorism, raising concerns among the international community about the future of Iraq's security framework and the effectiveness of coalition forces in the area.