Britain to send additional military advisers to Iraq
Britain to send additional military advisers to Iraq
British Prime Minister David Cameron says Britain will send 125 more troops to Iraq to train local forces fighting against the Islamic State group.
2 min read
Iraq has been battling with Islamic State militants for nearly a year [AFP]
The UK will send 125 new military advisers to Iraq, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced on Sunday as the threat of the so-called Islamic State group (IS) continues to dominate a number of international talks.
Speaking at a meeting of G7 leaders in Germany, Cameron said IS terrorism posed "one of the world's biggest challenges" and that the new troops will train local forces fighting against the group.
British warplanes are already part of the US-led coalition attacking IS targets in Iraq.
"We're already the second largest contributor in terms of airstrikes in Iraq," Cameron told reporters at the G7 in Germany.
"But I'm announcing today that we're increasing our training effort in Iraq."
A spokesman said the additional help was being given at the request of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
Iraq has been battling with the extremist group for nearly a year and has suffered tremendously, especially since the group seized the Anbar capital, Ramadi in May.
Allies of Iraq from over 20 countries have pledged support for a strategy to defeat Islamic State and halt its advance.
Majority of the new British troops will train local forces in dealing with roadside bombs.
Around 100 will carry out out IED training, while 25 would focus on first aid, equipment maintenance, or logistics and information support.
The deployment brings the number of UK personnel helping the Baghdad government and Kurdish authorities battle the militants to 275.
Britain says the troops will remain on their bases and the UK will not send combat troops to Iraq, where 179 British personnel died between 2003 and 2009.
Speaking at a meeting of G7 leaders in Germany, Cameron said IS terrorism posed "one of the world's biggest challenges" and that the new troops will train local forces fighting against the group.
British warplanes are already part of the US-led coalition attacking IS targets in Iraq.
"We're already the second largest contributor in terms of airstrikes in Iraq," Cameron told reporters at the G7 in Germany.
"But I'm announcing today that we're increasing our training effort in Iraq."
A spokesman said the additional help was being given at the request of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
Iraq has been battling with the extremist group for nearly a year and has suffered tremendously, especially since the group seized the Anbar capital, Ramadi in May.
Allies of Iraq from over 20 countries have pledged support for a strategy to defeat Islamic State and halt its advance.
Majority of the new British troops will train local forces in dealing with roadside bombs.
Around 100 will carry out out IED training, while 25 would focus on first aid, equipment maintenance, or logistics and information support.
The deployment brings the number of UK personnel helping the Baghdad government and Kurdish authorities battle the militants to 275.
Britain says the troops will remain on their bases and the UK will not send combat troops to Iraq, where 179 British personnel died between 2003 and 2009.
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