PARIS: France will withdraw its contingent of troops from Iraq, mostly trainers to local armed forces, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the chief of staff said on Wednesday.
France has around 200 military personnel working in Iraq either as trainers or in the headquarters of coalition forces in Baghdad.
“In coordination with the Iraqi government, the coalition has decided to adjust its deployments in Iraq and provisionally suspend training activities,” it said in a statement.
The UK defense ministry had already announced some of its troops would come home, citing a “reduced requirement for training” Iraqi security forces.
Iraq’s military had halted all training in early March to minimize the risk of the illness spreading among its forces, including from the US-led coalition helping fight remnants of the Daesh group.
France withdraws troops from Iraq over coronavirus
https://arab.news/ny7sg
France withdraws troops from Iraq over coronavirus
- France has around 200 military personnel working in Iraq
Israel objects to US announcement of leaders who will play a role in overseeing next steps in Gaza
- Trump administration earlier in the week said the US-drafted ceasefire plan for Gaza was now moving into its challenging second phase
JERUSALEM: Israel’s government is objecting to the White House announcement of leaders who will play a role in overseeing next steps in Gaza.
The rare criticism from Israel of its close ally in Washington says the Gaza executive committee “was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy,” without details.
Saturday’s statement also said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the foreign ministry to contact Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The committee announced by the White House on Friday includes no Israeli official but has an Israeli businessman. Other members announced so far include two of President Donald Trump’s closest confidants, a former British prime minister, an American general and a collection of top officials from Middle Eastern governments.
The Trump administration earlier in the week said the US-drafted ceasefire plan for Gaza was now moving into its challenging second phase.
