Islamic State – Belgium asked to send soldiers into Iraq

Islamic State – Belgium asked to send soldiers into Iraq

Belgium has received an official request to send soldiers into Iraq. They would be there to train and advise Iraqi forces in the fight against jihadists from the Islamic State, Le Soir said on Tuesday. The American general James Terry said that the international anti-jihadist coalition was ready to deploy 1,500 men to Iraq on Monday evening, but didn’t say which countries were helping with the ground operation.

According to the Ministry of Defense spokesman Steven Vandeput (N-VA, New Flemish Alliance), Belgium has “received an official request” to help with this new operation from the coalition.

The number of Belgian soldiers that could possibly take part in this operation has not yet been decided. Before that decision is made, the request must be approved by the government. It will be on the agenda for the next Ministers Council meeting on Friday.

(Source: Belga)


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