In a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart, the Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, emphasized the need for a cessation of ongoing attacks against the US-led Coalition against ISIS. Albares, addressing media in Baghdad, stated, "We are here at the request of the government of Iraq and we will leave when the government of Iraq considers. The repeated attacks, blamed on Iranian-backed militias, need to stop."

Expressing concern about potential spillover effects, Albares stressed the importance of avoiding a crisis similar to the situation in Gaza. The US-led Coalition, which Spain has been a part of since its formation in 2014, has faced over 150 attacks since October 17, allegedly orchestrated by Iranian-backed militia forces. These incidents have led to retaliatory strikes, causing significant material damage and casualties among militia forces.

According to the Coalition, at least 500 Spanish military personnel have trained 37,000 members of the Iraqi Security Forces since its inception. Despite the territorial defeat of ISIS in 2017, remnants of the group continue to launch sporadic attacks against civilian and security targets.

Officials in the Kurdistan Region have consistently advocated for the continuation of Coalition operations in Iraq. They argue that the presence of Coalition troops is crucial in supporting Iraqi and Kurdish forces in their efforts to eliminate remaining terror threats.

The situation remains dynamic, with international stakeholders closely monitoring developments and diplomatic efforts underway to address the escalating tensions in the region.