Brigadier General Christophe Hintzy from France has taken over the leadership of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) mission in Iraq, succeeding Major General Lucas Schroers from the Netherlands, who has held the position since May 2024, during a formal ceremony held on Thursday in Baghdad.
The handover ceremony was attended by Iraqi officials, ambassadors from allied and partner countries, officials from NATO, as well as representatives of the international community in Baghdad.
General Hintzy said, "It is a great honor and privilege for me, and for my country France, to take over the leadership of the NATO mission in Iraq, a country often regarded as the cradle of civilizations."
He added, "We share a common goal with the Iraqi security institutions and forces, and our success will not be individual but collective, to develop sustainable, tailor-made solutions to support Iraq as a valuable NATO partner."
On his part, the outgoing commander, Major General Lucas Schroers expressed his gratitude to his Iraqi counterparts for what he described as "excellent hospitality and cooperation," praising their continued commitment to the partnership with NATO and enhancing the capabilities of Iraq's forces and security institutions.
He said, "To our Iraqi partners — your resilience and leadership inspire us. We have learned much from you, and it has been an honor to work alongside you." He continued, "To the allies and partners — thank you for investing in the future of Iraq and in our shared security. Christophe, I hand over the command to you with full confidence, as you inherit a team of dedicated professionals and a network of resilient partnerships. I know you will lead the mission with a vision and respect for NATO principles and the Iraqi context. This mission is about the people — trust, support, and sovereignty, and I am confident that you will continue it with the integrity it deserves."
NATO country leaders launched the NATO mission in Iraq during their summit in Brussels in July 2018, following a request and invitation from the Iraqi government.
The mission was officially established in Baghdad in October of the same year, and it is a non-combat mission focused on providing advice and building capacities, aimed at supporting Iraq in developing more sustainable, transparent, inclusive, and effective security institutions and forces, capable of achieving stability, combating terrorism, and preventing the return of ISIS.
All activities of the NATO mission in Iraq are carried out with the approval of the Iraqi government, and with full respect for Iraq's sovereignty and territorial unity.
Before the leadership handover ceremony, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Tom Goufos, participated in the second high-level dialogue for partnership between NATO and Iraq, held in Baghdad on May 21.
Goufos said, "This second high-level dialogue meeting here in Baghdad is proof of our partnership with Iraq and a consolidation of this dialogue," adding that "NATO continues to be ready to support the Iraqi government and its security institutions in the future through the NATO mission in Iraq."
It should be noted that the high-level dialogue between NATO and Iraq was launched in Brussels on August 27, 2024, and provides an additional framework for consultation and exchange of views on issues of mutual interest, including stability in the Middle East region.
