Spanish helicopter unit of Operation Inherent Resolve begins its withdrawal after completing its mission in Iraq.

• Since 2014, more than 60 countries, with a significant presence of Spain, have participated in this mission led by the United States, aimed at defeating Daesh.

The Spanish helicopter unit of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) has begun its withdrawal after accomplishing its mission in Iraq.

According to plan, the return to national territory of Task Force Toro, formed by the Iraq Helicopter Unit (ISPUHEL by its Spanish acronym), will be concluded by the end of 2024. Meanwhile, the Special Operations Unit will continue its advisory, assistance and training mission to strengthen the tactical and combat capabilities of the Iraqi Counter Terrorist Service.

Since 2014, the International Coalition against Daesh has been carrying out this operation, whose main task has been to support and train Iraqi forces in their fight against jihadist groups, which have posed the main challenge to civilian security in recent years.

Currently, Daesh no longer represents a significant threat in Iraq, while security levels throughout the country have increased thanks to the improved efficiency and operability of its security forces. These forces will now be given a greater role to ensure the country's stability more autonomously.

Thus, the immediate future of international operations in Iraq is marked by the gradual withdrawal of OIR military forces, under the coordination of US Central Command (USCENTCOM) and in close contact with the Iraqi government.

Operation Inherent Resolve has involved more than 60 countries and has been led by the United States. It was formalised after the signature of UN Security Council Resolution 2170/2014, prompted by the NATO Summit in Wales in that same year 2014.

Withdrawal of Spanish helicopters

In January 2015, after authorisation by the Spanish Congress of Deputies on 22 October 2014, the first Spanish military units (special operations) were deployed to Iraq as part of the newly created International Coalition to Combat Daesh.

Its objective has been, in close cooperation with Iraqi forces, to defeat this terrorist group, dismantle its infrastructure and hideouts, cut off its sources of funding and neutralise its militants.

Since then, Spain has maintained its permanent commitment to Operation Inherent Resolve, deploying different capabilities over the last ten years, such as transport helicopters, focusing its efforts on training and preparing the Iraqi security forces.

Currently, these tasks are being carried out by Spanish instructors, who are located at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center (BDSC) and Camp CQCTS, south of Erbil. In different locations, Spanish soldiers belonging to the Coalition's Special Operations Unit train members of Iraq's counter-terrorist service units. On the other hand, Spain has military personnel assigned to the US CENTCOM Headquarters, which manages the OIR from the town of Tampa in Florida (USA).

Task Force Toro has also been part of the mission and is now beginning its withdrawal to national territory. This helicopter unit is deployed at Al Asad airbase. Its primary mission has been to provide aerial transport to Coalition troops with three Chinook helicopters.

Simultaneously with Operation Inherent Resolve, the NATO Mission for Iraq (NMI) also operates on Iraqi territory, focused on advising the Iraqi Ministries of Defence and Interior.