NATO has withdrawn Slovak soldiers from the international mission in Iraq due to the current security situation. The soldiers have been transported back to Slovakia by an aircraft of the Slovak Defence Ministry. According to the Slovak Armed Forces, the mission in Iraq will continue as a non-combat, advisory and capacity-building operation. It will keep helping Iraq build stability and prevent the return of terrorist activities.
NATO announced on Friday (20 March) that it is "adjusting" its mission in Iraq. Officials in the country had earlier said that forces not involved in combat operations had temporarily withdrawn due to the war in the Middle East.
Poland has also decided to evacuate its military contingent from Iraq. Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz cited the worsening security situation in the Middle East as the reason.
Source: TASR
