Finnish soldiers to continue operation in Iraq till 2024

The President and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy at a meeting on Friday agreed that Finland will continue to participate in Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) in Iraq with about 75 soldiers until the end of 2024.

Finland’s participation involves training and advisory tasks, along with the necessary staff, administrative and support functions, said a government press release.

A report on the matter will be submitted to Parliament in accordance with the Act on Military Crisis Management.

The meeting also discussed Finland’s participation in international crisis management more broadly.

Finland currently has about 335 soldiers participating in nine military crisis management operations within the frameworks of the UN, the EU, NATO and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.

In addition, the meeting discussed Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, the security situation in Europe and the progress of Finland’s NATO membership process, the press release added.