New Zealand Troops Set Up Base In Iraq To Prepare For Training Of Iraqi Forces Against ISIS

Troops from the New Zealand Defence Force have set up base in Iraq as they prepare for deployment. The New Zealand government in February had announced that up to 143 soldiers would be sent on a joint mission with the Australian Defence Force to help boost the capabilities of the Iraqi government forces in fighting ISIS.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has been criticised for his lack of transparency regarding the deployment of troops compared to the Australian government. Stuff reports that the NZDF had confirmed on April 21 that the main force has left for Australia from Ohakea, the Royal New Zealand Air Force base.

NZDF chief Lt. Gen. Tim Keating said the troops were in place to train the Iraqi soldiers. The Taji military base is about 40 kilometres from Baghdad. The New Zealand contingent is expected to use military skills including basic weapons handling and organizational tactics. The training of Iraqi security forces would also cover operations planning, medical and logistics support.

“We work alongside and in partnership with other nations – in this case working very closely with Iraqi security forces on agreed outcome and delivery of training,” said Keating. He believes that New Zealand troops are capable of achieving “good training outcomes.”

The mission to Iraq will last up to two years and does not involve combat. A review will be conducted after nine months as previously agreed. Kiwi troops will not receive extra protection after a deadly car bomb attack had shocked the town where the soldiers will be based.

Three people had died while seven were reported injured when a car rammed through a group of Shia pilgrims in Taji and exploded. Mr. Key said Iraq is a risky environment. He added that New Zealand troops are far from the front lines of fighting but he can’t say if the environment is risk-free, reports TVNZ. The prime minister believe Kiwi soldiers are given the best security and the airbase where they are based is exposed to lower risk than some parts of Iraq.

Mr. Key was slammed by the opposition in late April for revealing to media that New Zealand’s troops had a stopover in Dubai before going to Iraq. The information was revealed to the Gulf News but not New Zealand media. Mr. Key had previously told local reporters he was giving nothing away about the deployment for security reasons. When pressed for an explanation, the prime minister remarked that he didn’t see what the fuss was about since it was like saying he was stopping in London to go to Los Angeles.

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