Norway Completes Iraq Evacuation as NATO Adjusts Mission
Norway has successfully evacuated its soldiers from Iraq as part of a NATO operation, following a period of increased regional tensions. The move comes as NATO reassesses its presence in the country amid ongoing attacks and the wider conflict involving Iran.
Evacuation Confirmed
The Norwegian Armed Forces confirmed their participation in the evacuation of NATO personnel from Iraq, as reported by the Norwegian News Agency (NTB). Lieutenant Colonel Brynjar Stordal stated that the operation is a NATO initiative and further details would come from the alliance [Source: conflingo.com]. Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik affirmed the successful completion of the evacuation, emphasizing Norway’s commitment to supporting NATO in the situation [Source: conflingo.com].
NATO Adjusts Posture in Iraq
The evacuation coincides with NATO’s decision to “adjust” its mission in Iraq, following reports of personnel withdrawals [Source: Reuters]. There are no reported disagreements with the Iraqi government regarding these adjustments [Source: Reuters].
Regional Tensions and Impact on NATO Exercises
These developments occur against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the Middle East, stemming from the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. The NATO mission in Iraq, NMI, is headquartered in the Green Zone in Baghdad, which has been targeted by repeated attacks attributed to Iran-aligned Iraqi Shiite militias.
The escalating conflict has as well impacted NATO’s military exercises. Several countries participating in Exercise Cold Response 26, NATO’s largest Arctic warfare exercise, withdrew military hardware, including warships and fighter jets, due to concerns over the situation with Iran [Source: Defense News]. This included the withdrawal of the Italian Navy destroyer Andrea Doria and a squadron of U.S. F-35B Joint Strike Fighters [Source: Defense News]. Despite these withdrawals, Exercise Cold Response 26 continued with participation from U.S. Air Force F-35s and approximately 4,000 Marines [Source: Defense News].
Norway’s Contribution to NATO Missions
As of 2026, Norway contributed three soldiers to the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI). These personnel focused on advisory and mentoring roles for Iraqi forces and authorities, and were not involved in direct combat operations [Source: conflingo.com]. Prior to the evacuation, Norway had deployed around 60 soldiers in Iraq and Jordan as part of the US-led military operation against IS, established in 2014.
NATO forces recently concluded Exercise Cold Response 26, a 10-day arctic warfare drill across Norway and Finland, on Thursday, March 19, 2026 [Source: USNI News].