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New Zealand-trained Iraqi forces help liberate Ramadi: Defense Minister

Xinhua, December 31, 2015 Adjust font size:

New Zealand-trained Iraqi troops were among the force that has taken part in a significant attack on Islamic insurgents in the city of Ramadi, Defense Minister Gerry Brownlee said Thursday.

Iraqi troops trained by the New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) Building Partner Capacity mission, a joint operation with Australian forces in Taji, north of Baghdad, were part of the force that had retaken the city from Daesh (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), Brownlee said in a statement.

"The success of these troops results from their commitment to the training program they have been involved in. New Zealand and Australian trainers can take some pride over the successful action by the recruits," Brownlee said.

"NZDF trainers have gone into a dangerous environment and professionally established a training operation which is upskilling large numbers of Iraqi troops to better equip themselves to fight." Enditem