NATO has confirmed that the Iraqi army is one of the strongest in the region, while noting that its presence in Iraq is for advisory and training purposes. The new NATO mission commander in Iraq, General José Antonio, stated during the handover ceremony of NATO leadership in Iraq, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "Today, a Spanish commander takes charge of the NATO mission in Iraq, and there is no significant change in the mission's operations," emphasizing that "continuity is the principle followed, and we will continue what our predecessor started."
Antonio added that "all member states share the same goals and values," explaining that "NATO was formed because no country could face the threats posed by external adversaries alone." He affirmed that "the threats and adversaries have changed over the years, but the alliance has adapted to new challenges," pointing out that "NATO consists of 31 countries, with an increase of 10 countries that signed the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949." He noted that "the organization was originally aimed at defending the countries located on the southern side of the North Atlantic."
