Spanish soldiers in Iraq have completed their withdrawal from the city of Najaf. According to a military spokesperson, the withdrawal ended on Tuesday, and they are now at their main base in Diwaniya. Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has announced plans to withdraw all 1,300 soldiers stationed in Iraq in the coming weeks. Polls have shown that the majority of the Spanish public does not support the presence of their troops in Iraq as part of the U.S.-led coalition.
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Spanish Soldiers Complete Withdrawal from Najaf, Iraq
Feb 8, 2026
February 8, 2026
1 min read
📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway
Spanish soldiers have finished their withdrawal from Najaf, Iraq, and are now based in Diwaniya. Prime Minister Zapatero plans to withdraw all 1,300 troops in the coming weeks, reflecting public disapproval of their presence in Iraq.
🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line:
Spain's troop withdrawal highlights shifting public sentiment against military involvement in Iraq and may signal broader geopolitical changes.
👥 Key Players
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
MENTIONED
Prime Minister of Spain
"His decision to withdraw troops reflects public sentiment and impacts Spain's foreign policy, particularly in relation to U.S. military operations."
Spanish Armed Forces
MENTIONED
Military force involved in Iraq
"Their presence in Iraq is part of the broader coalition against terrorism, and their withdrawal signals changing military commitments."
📰 What Happened
Spanish soldiers have completed their withdrawal from Najaf, Iraq, and are relocating to their main base in Diwaniya. Prime Minister Zapatero has announced plans to withdraw all troops in response to public opposition.
- The withdrawal from Najaf was completed on a specified Tuesday.
- Public opinion in Spain largely opposes the military presence in Iraq.
💡 Why It Matters
🇮🇷 For Iran: The withdrawal of Spanish troops may reduce Western military presence near Iran's borders, potentially affecting Iran's regional influence and security calculations.
🌍 Regional: This move could embolden other countries in the region to reconsider their military commitments in Iraq, impacting stability.
🌐 International: It reflects a broader trend of declining support for military interventions in Iraq, which may influence U.S. policy and coalition dynamics.
📚 Background
Spain's involvement in Iraq was part of the U.S.-led coalition following the 2003 invasion. Over time, public opposition has grown, leading to calls for troop withdrawals.
U.S. military presence in Iraq
Public opinion on foreign military interventions
📡 Source:
NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence:
70%
The information appears to be factual and straightforward, reflecting official military statements and public opinion polls.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
🌐
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%
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