Iraq - OIR and NMI

Denmark is currently contributing to two different international military operations, both of which are working to strengthen the Iraqi state's ability to take care of security in the country itself. These are the US-led Operation Inherent Resolve and the NATO Mission Iraq.

NATO Mission Iraq

The task of NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) is to advise the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and Iraqi military schools and educational institutions. The mission is thus not a combat mission. NMI consists of a total of about 500 people. NATO Mission Iraq was established in July 2018 following an invitation from the Iraqi Government.

The current Danish contribution to NATO Mission Iraq consists of:

• A staff and advisory contribution that handles staff and advisory tasks as part of NMI's staff and organization.
• A Danish contingent (DANCON) that supports Danish personnel in NMI. The tasks include, among other things, administration, logistics, and communication. DANCON also includes Danish military police.

To support the soldiers, the Danish contribution also consists of a Danish element (DANELM), which provides national support to personnel and units in the mission area. The tasks include administration, logistics and management support. And by a National Support Element (NSE), which provides national logistical support to all Danish personnel and units in the mission area. NSE is located at Ali al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and also provides support for the Danish contributions to the OIR in Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR)

Since 2014, when the terrorist movement ISIL conquered a large part of Iraq and Syria and drove millions of people into exile, Denmark has contributed to the US-led Operation Inherent Resolve, which has had the participation of up to 70 countries and organizations.

Denmark has contributed to the mission with fighter jets and transport aircraft, a radar with operators and with trainers who have trained Iraqi security forces. Denmark has also provided staff officers to the operation's headquarters. 

The Danish radar was taken home in 2019, and the Danish training contribution was shut down at the beginning of 2020.

The Danish contribution to Operation Inherent Resolve currently consists of:

• A staff contribution that forms part of the coalition's headquarters in the region, including the air headquarters.

NATO’s training mission in Iraq Ministry of Defence