SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Ukraine’s military specialists will participate in the North Treaty Organization’s mission in Iraq, according to Ukrainian media.
Head of the European and Euro-Atlantic Integration division at the ministry of defense Yurii Vasyliev said Ukraine continued its contribution to NATO missions and operations despite “aggression” it is facing.
“We are now preparing to send our specialists to two more operations: the NATO mission in Iraq and the Alliance’s operation Marine Guard,” Vasyliev said in a press conference, according to Ukrainian News.
Ukraine has already had specialists in NATO mission in Afghanistan and is providing support for the forces in Kosovo, Vasyliev added.
NATO has had a non-combat, “train-and-advise” mission in Baghdad since October 2018 but plans to expand it were delayed, in part, by COVID-19 and also due to concerns about regional stability after a U.S. drone killed a top Iranian commander in Baghdad on Jan. 3. 2020.
NATO will likely take over some of the training activities carried out by the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State. The allied mission, involving allies including Britain, Turkey and Denmark and led by a Danish commander, is seen as more acceptable to Iraqis than a U.S. training force, diplomats said.
Currently, the NATO mission only trains and advises members of the Iraqi security institutions and forces who are under the direct control of the Iraqi government.
