ron_mark_iraq_herald.jpg Defence Minister Ron Mark at the range in Taji, during a visit to NZ troops training local forces in Iraq last year. Photo / NZDFThe government has announced plans to pull New Zealand troops out of Iraq by June 2020. There are currently 88 troops at Camp Taji training Iraqi soldiers and it's understood the government plans to end the deployment by June 2020. Ms Ghahraman had been pushing Defence Minister Ron Mark to end both the Iraq and Afghanistan deployments. Former prime minister John Key made the decision to enter Iraq in 2015, but made clear it was in a non-combat role.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 10, 2019 03:11 UTC