King of Spain visits Iraq for first time in 40 years

Spain's King Felipe VI on Wednesday visited special forces helping Iraq fight the Islamic State group, becoming the first Spanish monarch in four decades to visit the country, according to a diplomat.

The king, whose country is a member of an international coalition battling the militant group, also met with President Barham Saleh after visiting the troops.

Despite Iraq in declaring victory over IS in 2017, following a bruising months-long campaign backed by the coalition, it continues to battle pockets of militants who remain in the north of the country.

Spain, which took part in the US-led 2003 invasion of Iraq that overthrew dictator Saddam Hussein, went on to support Iraqi troops as they battled to roll back IS, which seized a third of the country including second city Mosul in 2014.

Hundreds of Spanish military instructors remain in the country.

King Felipe is one of a series of leaders to visit Baghdad since the start of the year, including US President Donald Trump, who drew criticism for failing to meet a single Iraqi official.

Baghdad has also hosted the chief diplomats of its two main allies, Washington and Tehran - themselves bitter enemies.

Iraq's precarious position has been complicated by Trump's shock decision last month to withdraw from neighbouring Syria, although no troops have yet to be pulled out.

Following the announcement, foreign ministers from the 79-member Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS will meet in Washington on 6 February to coordinate the fight against the militant group.

According to a top US intelligence official, IS still maintains a force of thousands of fighters and would exploit any reduction in counter-terror operations to stage a comeback.

Agencies contributed to this report.