Baghdad Recalls Troops From Pakistan Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions
According to Iraq’s Defense Ministry, around 500 troops from the 66th Brigade, Second Special Forces Division, were deployed to Pakistan under a Baghdad-Islamabad military cooperation deal.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iraq has begun the process of urgently repatriating its military personnel currently undergoing training in Pakistan, following the rapid escalation of armed hostilities between Pakistan and India. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who also serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, issued the directive on Saturday, instructing the group of Iraqi special forces to return home immediately to ensure their safety.
According to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, the personnel belong to the Second Battalion of the 66th Brigade within the Second Special Forces Division. The contingent, numbering approximately 500 officers and enlisted soldiers, was deployed to Pakistan under a bilateral military cooperation agreement between Baghdad and Islamabad.
The decision comes amid a deepening military confrontation between India and Pakistan, which has now extended into missile and drone exchanges across borders and includes targeted strikes on airbases and other strategic infrastructure.
As reported by The Washington Post and Reuters, both countries have accused one another of unprovoked aggression, with Pakistani military officials confirming that Indian air-to-surface missiles recently struck key air installations, including the Nur Khan, Murid, and Rafiqui airbases.
Given Pakistan’s invocation of its National Command Authority and India’s active military mobilization, security analysts warn that the conflict may escalate further, increasing the risk to foreign personnel on Pakistani soil. In this volatile context, Iraqi authorities have prioritized the immediate withdrawal of their troops.
“The safety of Iraqi forces is a matter of national responsibility,” Iraq's Defense Ministry has stated, confirming that logistical preparations for the return are already underway.
The Iraqi military training in Pakistan was intended to strengthen Iraq’s elite units with specialized skills in counterterrorism and unconventional warfare, leveraging Pakistan’s longstanding expertise in these areas. However, Baghdad’s swift decision to extract its personnel underscores the unpredictability of the current regional security landscape.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other G7 foreign ministers have called for urgent de-escalation, as both South Asian nuclear powers continue to engage in aerial and artillery strikes, some of which have reached civilian areas. The United Nations has warned that any further escalation could pose serious risks to international peace and stability.
Iraq's withdrawal also signals broader regional caution.
Several countries have begun evaluating the presence of their nationals in Pakistan and India amid fears that the rapidly deteriorating situation could spiral into a broader conflict. Baghdad’s move to bring its soldiers home reflects both prudence and preparedness in the face of an increasingly combustible geopolitical crisis.
