Today, Minister of Defence Tsahkna began his visit to Iraq, during the course of which he will be meeting with Estonian servicemen participating in Operation Inherent Resolve, the anti-ISIL operation, and thanking them for their service, which also ensures Estonia's security.
Estonia will be participating in the anti-ISIL operation with Defence Forces instructors, who will be training members of the Iraqi security forces. Estonia is contributing to the coalition with a six-member training team and staff officer. Defence Forces instructors will be serving as part of the Danish contingent in the base located in Iraq’s Anbar Province, while the senior staff officer, serving as military advisor, will be stationed in Bagdad.
The Riigikogu issued the Defence Forces a mandate to participate in operation Inherent Resolve with up to ten servicemen.
Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. led international anti-ISIL military operation, began on 15 June 2014. The goal of the operation is direct and indirect military action against ISIL, primarily in Iraq and Syria.
Estonian participation in Operation Inherent Resolve began in August 2016.