Baghdad: The French military command awarded the highest French medal of honor to Lieutenant General Qais Al-Muhammadawi, Deputy Commander of Joint Operations.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Joint Operations Command stated that the French military command dispatched General Michel Delbet, the commander of the special forces, to present the prestigious medal. This accolade was bestowed upon Al-Muhammadawi in recognition of his exceptional efforts in pursuing the remaining leaders and elements of the terrorist group ISIS, as well as his dedication to strengthening relations with French advisors. These efforts were conducted in compliance with Iraqi legal and constitutional frameworks, particularly in areas such as training, providing advice, exchanging information, and leveraging technical resources and intelligence to combat the remnants of ISIS.

The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Joint Operations Command, directors of agencies, several French advisors and officers, and repr
esentatives from the NATO mission. During the event, the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations described the honor as a tribute to all officers and members of the security forces stationed in various operations sectors. He emphasized that the martyrs, wounded heroes, and their families are the true recipients of this honor, as they played a crucial role in defeating terrorism.

He further noted that this recognition is an acknowledgment of all those who sacrificed to establish security in Iraq. In alignment with the government program and directives from the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Iraq has been re-evaluating its tasks with the international coalition. This includes focusing on bilateral agreements based on cooperation and developing sustainable security relations within the constitutional and legal framework of Iraq. Recently, Iraq and France signed a bilateral security memorandum to this effect.

He concluded by expressing Iraq’s aspirations to strengthen its relationship w
ith France, activate a true strategic partnership, and enhance Iraqi capabilities to confront challenges, ultimately serving the interests of both nations.