A Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft searching for missing MH 370
IN PHOTO: The shadow of a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P3 Orion maritime search aircraft can be seen on low-level clouds as it flies over the southern Indian Ocean looking for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 March 31, 2014. Reuters/Stringer

Around 50 New Zealand troops were sent to Australia to begin training for their deployment to Iraq. New Zealand Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee has confirmed the presence of the country’s soldiers offshore to train.

The defence minister added that legal protection was secured to enable Kiwi soldiers to help in the fight against ISIS in Iraq. The troops have joined their counterparts in Australia in preparation for their joint mission, reports New Zealand Herald.

Brownlee refused to comment on the legal agreement that was signed by Iraq and New Zealand but told reporters it was “satisfactory.” He said the arrangement between the two countries was satisfactory since it will provide the necessary protection for New Zealand soldiers who will participate in the Building Capacity mission.

Brownlee’s announcement came less than a week following the return of Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully from Iraq. He is believed to have secured a “status of forces” agreement, reports Stuff.co.nz. New Zealand troops need legal protection so they will be able to return fire if enemies will attempt to shoot at them.

The defence minister also confirmed the troops will have immunity in Iraq if laws were broken in line with the mission. The exact date for deployment has yet to be revealed bu but the New Zealand government previously mentioned that the troops would likely be deployed by the end of May.

Brownlee said the Kiwi soldiers will be heading to the Middle East when circumstances and conditions are right. The joint mission with Australia will be based north of Baghdad in Camp Taji.

New Zealand Labour party leader Andrew Little said he was surprised about the news that the troops were already in Australia since he thought the deployment to Iraq was not happening until May.

“If our troops have been mobilized and left New Zealand, we should have been told that. This is an issue that has split the nation and the government in those circumstances has to be upfront,” said Little. He warned that any legal protection would be insufficient of New Zealand did not sign a Status of Forces agreement.

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