9th support to Iraq

On 23rd November 2018, the 9th Spanish contingent deployed in Iraq already started to carry out the first tasks in operation areas in the framework of the Inherent Resolve Operation (OIR). As proof of the Army commitmment to peacekeeping and safety in our country, training both of the Army and of the Iraqi police forces will be continuated. 10th Brigade ‘Guzman El Bueno’ assumes the command of the Besmayah Task Force (Iraq), relieving the 6th Brigade ‘Almogavares’. At the Besmayah ‘Gran Capitan’ Base, the transfer of authority ceremony has been conducted, directed by division general Christopher Ghika, second in command of the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF). D. Juan J. Escobar Stemmann, Spanish ambassador in Baghdad and civil and military authorities were also present.

The chief of the new contingent, general Carlos Parada Larrea, assumes the command of the Besmayah Task Force (TFB), substituting Luis Cortés Delgado.

In his speech, general Parada Larrea claimed that ‘more than 34,000 soldiers and police officers have been trained by the TFB, and that it is an honour to know that some of those Iraqi units fight bravely to destroy the so-called caliphate. There is still much to do to achieve long term stability in Iraq, so we are willing to keep on working, contributing to Iraqi leadership in the battle, and make your forces self-sufficient, inclusive and sustainable’.

The members of the 9th Support to Iraq will continue with the excellent work carried performed by the former contingents, complying with the mission that has been assigned to them and reinforcing the Spanish presence in the international fight against terrorism. The work done by the Spanish troops in the Inherent Resolve operation of the International Coalition focuses on the training of the Iraqi soldiers as part of the strategy to erradicate jihadist terrorism, thus contributing to global safety, and consequently, to Spanish safety.

9th BPC contingent is made up of around 350 soldiers, the majority of which come from 10th Brigade ‘Guzman El Bueno’. The rest come from several units of the Spanish Army and Air Force. A Civil Guard unit also participates, and it is in charge of providing advanced police training to the Iraqi Security Forces.

Spain is part of a multinational coalition of more than 60 countries organised to defeat the self-proclaimed Islamic State (Daesh) as part of the Inherent Resolve Operation. For that purpose, our country leads one of the four BPC (Building Partner Capacity), concept designed to increase the Iraqi Army capacities with the support of training teams from other allied armed forces.