New Zealand will not leave Iraq 'high and dry': Defense Minister

“It would be fair to say you can't just chop a ribbon and it's all over. You have to bring people home; you have to factor that in.”

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – New Zealand’s mission in Iraq could continue beyond its November end-date, but in a different form, the country’s Defense Minister, Ron Mark, said on Friday.

The government of New Zealand is yet to confirm whether the country would maintain a military deployment in Iraq, but Mark assured New Zealand would not leave the country “high and dry.” 

The country’s mission, known as Operation Manawa, was announced in February 2015 as part of the US-led coalition. In May 2015, the first deployment of forces left for Iraq to train Iraqi soldiers and federal police in the fight against the Islamic State (IS).

The government decided to extend the mission in 2016, up to May 2017, and extended it once more until November 2018.

The latest deployment under the current government cabinet occurred last month as troops departed from Australia to Iraq.

New Zealand’s Minister stated that he was yet present a proposal to the government which would decide whether or not the country’s mission should go beyond the anticipated November end-date. He also noted that should it be extended, it is not clear what purpose the deployment would serve.

Mark added that Iraq certainly wanted New Zealand to maintain a presence in the country, as did the Australian Defense Forces, but the decision has yet to be made by the New Zealand government.

The Minister explained there are many options on the table, but News Zealand forces will not drop everything and leave the country.

“It would be fair to say you can't just chop a ribbon and it's all over. You have to bring people home; you have to factor that in,” he said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in December last year declared final victory over IS, but the jihadist group continues to carry out bombings, kidnapping, ambushes, and insurgency-style activities which have increased over the past few months.

Editing by Nadia Riva