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Defence & Security News - Norway
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| Norway about to start deployment of troops to Iraq to support the fight against ISIL | |||
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The Norwegian Armed Forces will shortly begin deployment of the first part of its military contribution to the international coalition established to counter ISIL. The decision to provide a Norwegian contribution to capability development for the Iraqi Armed Forces was made last October, and the necessary arrangements have now been completed, allowing deployment to begin, said the Norwegian Defense Ministry in an official statement.
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 Norwegian troops patrolling in Faryab province, Afghanistan |
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This deployment will consist of 50 instructors deployed to Erbil, along with a second deployment to Bagdad. In addition a small number of support personnel and staff officers that will be deployed to the different headquarters leading the operation. Norway has already had a small number of staff officers in various headquarters in the region supporting the planning of this operation.
The Norwegian force contribution will support the Iraqi Government in developing the capabilities of its security forces. Norwegian instructors will join the German-led training facility being established in Erbil, and also conduct education and training of Iraqi security forces in Bagdad. Both contributions will begin deployment in the near future, gradually building its numbers as the training facilities are completed. By now the international coalition consists of more than 60 nations and organizations. Norway is member of a core group consisting of almost 20 nations. "The military support from the coalition to the Iraqi security forces has increased Iraq's ability to counter ISIL´s advance. At the same time, the situation remains very serious, and Iraq will be in need of military support for a long period of time," said Norway's Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide. Norway has now concluded a Status of Forces Agreement with Iraqi Authorities concerning Norwegian personnel serving in Iraq. "The security situation in Iraq is challenging, and our activities must be adjusted to the security situation we face at any given point. The security of our forces will always be the highest priority," said Eriksen Søreide. The Norwegian forces will participate in capability development for the Iraqi security forces in the Erbil-area and in Bagdad, and are not to accompany Iraqi forces in battle. The Norwegian contribution in Erbil will form a part of the German-led capability development contribution located in Northern Iraq. Command will be rotating between Germany and Italy on a six-month basis. The details of the concept are still being developed. The Norwegian force contribution will initially consist of staff officers and personnel that will support the establishment of the training facility in Erbil. As the facility is completed, the remaining personnel will deploy gradually, allowing them to begin the effort of capability development for the Iraqi Security Forces. Once fully deployed, the Norwegian contribution will consist of approximately 50 military instructors in addition to support elements. |
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