Norway To Deploy 60 Troops To Train Syrian Military
MEP: Norway has announced Monday that it will send 60 troops, including special forces soldiers, to train, advise and give operational support to Syrian units fighting Islamic State (IS or Daesh) terrorist.
The soldiers belonging to the Norwegian Special Forces would conduct the training in Jordan, Prime Minister Erna Solberg said at a press conference in Oslo.
“The brutal acts by IS have cost many civilians their lives and led an even greater number to flee (the country),” Solberg said.
Defense Minister, Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide did not identify which Syrian groups will be trained by the Norwegian soldiers, noting that they have been selected following a “thorough and systematic” selection process.
“One condition for our support is that their operations be directed against IS and that they do not harm any of the current peace efforts in Syria,” Soreide said.
Norway had previously sent 120 soldiers to Iraq to help to train Iraqi and Kurdish forces fighting Islamic State in northern Iraq. Those troops are still in Iraq.
