Government denies report NZ SAS in combat in IraqCHARLOTTE CURD/FAIRFAX NZ The Guardian is reporting: "British, Australian and New Zealand SAS are all active in northern Iraq, along with US forces." Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee has denied claims in international media that New Zealand special forces are calling in airstrikes in northern Iraq, "or involved in any other combat operations" in the country. The Guardian is reporting: "British, Australian and New Zealand SAS are all active in northern Iraq, along with US forces, where they have been calling in airstrikes to support both Kurdish and Iraqi advances. "As the Prime Minister has said publicly the Government has ruled out sending SAS, or any troops into combat roles in Iraq. "I think we can pretty much categorically rule out special forces at this time in terms of that Ash Carter letter that we received.

Source: Stuff October 20, 2016 23:02 UTC