Italy to send 130 soldiers and 8 helicopters to Iraq
Italian troops.Archival photo.
(IraqiNews.com) Baghdad – The Italian government announced on Wednesday, that it decided to send 130 soldiers, in addition to eight helicopters for combat and logistics purposes to help Iraq in its war against terrorism, while pointed out that the helicopters will be deployed in the province of Erbil. The Italian government also revealed its intention to deploy an infantry force to protect the Italian team that will work on the maintenance of Mosul Dam.
The Italian Minister of Defense Roberta Pinotti said in a statement received by IraqiNews.com, “The Italian government will send four Mongoose (A- 129) helicopters and four other NH90 planes to Iraq in the coming few days,” indicating that, “The aircraft will be deployed the soonest in northern Erbil for combat, search and rescue purposes.”
Pinotti added, “The Italian military aid includes sending 130 soldiers to Iraq as part of its ongoing efforts to assist Iraq in its war against ISIS, as well as deploying an infantry force to protect the Italian contractors working to repair Mosul Dam in the province of Nineveh.”