The military commander of the Coalition in Iraq stresses the professionality of the trainers at Besmayah

Lieutenant-General MacFarland during his visit to Besmayah

The military commander of the Coalition deployed in the Middle East to fight Daesh, Lieutenant-General Sean B. MacFarland, has stated that the work undertaken at the Besmayah military base under the leadership of the Spanish contingent “leads the way” in the training of the Iraqi Army.

Lieutenant-General MacFarland made that remark during his visit to the Building Partner Capacity facilities on 24 November. He also commended the trainers – Spanish, British, Portuguese and American – on the work they are doing “with skill and professionality”. In his opinion, they are “excellent role models” to the Iraqi forces they are training.

The American officer was accompanied by Colonel Javier Romero, commander of the Spanish contingent, and General Hassan Mohammed Zidan Alkaruy, commander of the 72nd Brigade – the Iraqi unit being trained. He attended several training activities, such as squad and section exercises, both in an open-field environment and in urban areas; shooting by high-precision snipers; and sappers exercises – a sappers battalion has recently been set up.

MacFarland expressed his satisfaction with the visit, which, he said, had exceeded his expectations. “What I have seen here today is exactly what the training of the Iraqi army is supposed to look like,” he added.