Syria/Iraq update 02/19/2021.. 2 US convoys hit in south of Iraq

2 US convoys hit in south of Iraq

NATO to expand troops in Iraq to 4,000 to “ensure that ISIS does not return”- Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced an expansion of the bloc’s mission in Iraq from 500 to 4,000 personnel as he spoke at a video press conference from Brussels on Thursday.

Explaining the purposes of the expansion, Stoltenberg stressed that although the so-called Islamic State (IS; formerly ISIS/ISIL) was largely defeated, several cells are still operating locally.

“ISIS still operates in Iraq. And we need to make sure they are not able to return,” he said, pointing out that the measure would prevent ‘bigger combat operations.’

Stoltenberg commented on the debates about NATO’s mission in Afghanistan, saying that due to ‘many dilemmas,’ there is “no final decision on the future of our presence” yet.

He added that the progress is ‘slow’ and dialogue is ‘fragile,’ saying it was vital to ‘reenergise’ the peace process, and emphasising that “all sides must seize this historic opportunity for a peaceful settlement without further delay.”

Agreement between Syrian and Turkish government on transfer of part of Shar-Krak grain reserves