ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Spain pulled its special operations forces from Iraq after recent security developments made it impossible to continue their assigned missions, the Spanish Ministry of Defense said on Sunday.

The ministry said it had ordered the temporary relocation of the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) deployed in Iraq while awaiting developments in the security situation.

“All SOTG military personnel, part of the International Coalition to fight [Islamic State] Daesh, are already in safe locations,” the ministry said in a press release dated March 15, 2026, adding that the redeployment took place with no incidents reported.

The ministry said the decision was taken due to the current deterioration of the security situation and the impossibility of continuing to carry out assigned duties.

The redeployment was carried out in close coordination and collaboration with Iraqi authorities, with the support of the coalition and while keeping partner and allied countries informed.

Spain stressed that its commitment to the international coalition and to Iraq’s stability remains unchanged, but said the volatility and fragility of the situation in the region made the decision necessary to guarantee the protection of its forces.