The West is strengthening support to Iraq in the battle against extremist group Islamic State, with New Zealand sending troops to train Iraqi soldiers and France deploying the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to assist with the air campaign.
New Zealand has announced plans to send more than 100 soldiers to Iraq, most of them to the Taji military base near Baghdad. Prime Minister John Key said the troops would be based ‘behind the wire’ and be responsible for training local forces.
Analysts say New Zealand, a United Nations Security Council member, has come under pressure to make a contribution to the international campaign to fight the jihadist group. The decision to send troops to Iraq has not been voted on in the country’s parliament.
Opposition said the motion should be voted in the parliament and argued that it would be unrealistic to assume that the troops would not involve in combat. The decision to send New Zealand troops may also put Kiwi travellers at risk.
Meanwhile, the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has arrived in the Persian Gulf. Four Rafale and four Super Etendard fighter jets took off from the carrier about 200 kilometres north of Bahrain.
A total of 12 Rafale and nine Super Etendard fighters are on board the carrier, which will be stationed in the Gulf for up to eight weeks. The carrier is instrumental to the air campaign targeting infrastructure such as oil facilities controlled by the Islamic State.
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