Finland to end crisis management operation in Iraq by yearend

Finland will end its crisis management participation at Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) in Iraq by the end of this year, said the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in a press release on Tuesday.

For ten years OIR has been the military mission of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.

As agreed by the United States and Iraq in September, a transition phase towards the conclusion of the mission has begun.

Finland joined the operation in 2015. Finland continues to support the security sector of Iraq through NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) and the EU’s civilian crisis management mission.

The United States leads Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Finland has made a strong contribution since the launch of the operation in 2014.

In September 2024 the United States and Iraq agreed on a transition to end the Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.

In recent years, Finland has had 75 soldiers in OIR. They have served in training and advisory tasks, along with staff, administrative and support functions.

Finland’s contribution to OIR has been significant. The current decision to participate in OIR was made in 2022 for two years and will end at the end of 2024.

Finland will continue to support the stability in the Middle East by participating in the UN-led UNIFIL operation in Lebanon with approximately 200 soldiers, which is the largest Finnish contingent.

In addition, Finland continues to support the international maritime security operations in the Red Sea and is committed to the UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organization) military observer mission in the Middle East.