Iraqi PM stresses the need to develop military forces capabilities
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, former commander of NMI, Giovanni Iannucci, the new commander of the NMI, Jose Antonio Aguero Martinez, and other military officials from both sides. Photo: Prime Minister’s press office
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, during his meeting on Sunday with the new commander of the NATO Mission in Iraq (NMI), Jose Antonio Aguero Martinez, stressed the need to continue developing the capabilities of the Iraqi forces, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s press office.
“We emphasized the need to continue developing the performance and capabilities of the Iraqi forces to be able to face security challenges, which are among the government’s priorities,” Al-Sudani mentioned.
The Iraqi Prime Minister discussed with Martinez paths of cooperation between Iraq and NATO countries in the areas related to training the Iraqi security forces.
Martinez will lead the NMI, succeeding Commander Giovanni Iannucci, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
Earlier on Sunday, the Iraqi President, Abdul Latif Rashid, met with Martinez where he praised the NMI’s efforts in training and developing the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces.
Rashid also emphasized that the security situation in Iraqi cities is currently stable, indicating the need to deliver a realistic picture of stability and positive developments in Iraq to the world, according to a statement by the Iraqi Presidency.
The NMI is a non-combat advisory mission founded to help Iraq build more sustainable, transparent, inclusive, and effective armed forces and security institutions to allow the Iraqis to be able to achieve stability in their country and fight terrorism.
The mission was launched at the NATO summit in Brussels in July 2018 at the request of the Iraqi government and established in October 2018.