Ministry of National Defence of Romania

03/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/23/2026 00:49

The Romanian military personnel deployed to Iraq returned to the country

Press release No. 54 23.03.2026

The Romanian military personnel deployed to Iraq returned to the country


All 117 Romanian soldiers deployed to the Iraqi theater of operations returned to Romania on Saturday, March 21, following the decision to adjust NATO's posture within NATO Mission Iraq.



The repatriation took place safely, through a coordinated effort at allied level, with the support of NATO structures and international partners. The Romanian soldiers were temporarily relocated to the Incirlik (Turkey) and Ramstein (Germany) Bases, from where they were later transported to the country by military aircraft.



The withdrawal decision was determined by recent developments in the security situation in the region, the measures adopted prioritizing the protection of deployed personnel.



The main mission the Romanian soldiers of the 2nd "Călugareni" Infantry Battalion during NATO Mission Iraq was to protect allied personnel and facilities, demonstrating professionalism and commitment in fulfilling their duties.



The Ministry of National Defence reaffirms Romania's commitment to NATO operations and missions, by further contributing to the enhancement of international security, in accordance with the Alliance's decisions.


The Press Office

Ministry of National Defence of Romania published this content on March 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 23, 2026 at 06:49 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]