Nepali Army (NA) has begun imparting pre-deployment trainings to 170 army personnel meant to be deployed in war-hit Iraq under United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). This is the second time that Nepali Army is deploying army personnel to Iraq after 1990.
According to Thursday's Republica daily, the NA troops are being sent to Iraq at the request of the United Nations. UN Under- General-Secretary for Political Affairs B Lynn Pasco during his meeting with Chief of Army Staff Chhatra Man Singh Gurung on March 31 made a formal request to this effect.
Gurung had conveyed to the government that NA was in a position to deploy its personnel under the UNAMI. While approving the NA proposal to deploy its men in the UNAMI a month ago, Defense Ministry had directed NA to impart necessary training to the army personnel.
"As soon as we finish the training, United Nations Security Council representatives will be here to settle necessary procedures. NA soldiers will then head for Iraq," said Ramindra Chhetri, spokesperson of Nepal Army.
"We have already calculated that NA personnel could be deployed under UNAMI and no mission is risk-free. NA has excellent international reputation and is sought after by UN for various peace keeping forces," said Chettri.
According to the latest data provided by Nepali Army, more than 3,500 Nepal Army personnel are currently serving in 36 different missions worldwide in more than 14 countries like Lebanon, Haiti, Syria, Israel, Congo, Ivory Coast and Eritrea among others.
Nepali Army's engagement with the UN was in 1958 and it is in the sixth largest troop contributor to the UN, according to the data till last year.
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