WELLINGTON, June 10 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand will withdraw its troop from Iraq and reduce military deployment in Afghanistan, announced New Zealand government on Monday.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that New Zealand will conclude its non-combat Building Partner Capacity (BPC) mission at Taji Military Complex in Iraq in June 2020, when full responsibility for basic training will be handed over to the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF).
New Zealand and Australia have been jointly delivering training to the ISF at Taji since 2015.
Alongside the deployment to Taji, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) will continue in a reduced number with support roles within the Defeat-ISIS Coalition in the region.
Meanwhile, New Zealand government also decided to reduce the number of NZDF personnel on the ground for the NATO-led train, advise and assist mission in Afghanistan from 13 to 11. The NZDF deployment will continue until December 2020 to support the training of Afghan army officers.
"By March 2020, the number of NZDF personnel deployed in Afghanistan will have decreased from 13 to 11. This will comprise six personnel deployed to the Officer Academy, two personnel within RSM Headquarters and potentially up to three focusing on Women, Peace and Security and reconciliation and reintegration," said the Defence Minister Ron Mark.
