Photo NZ Herald fileDefence Minister Gerry Brownlee has rejected reports that elite New Zealand troops are playing a combat role in northern Iraq. British newspaper The Guardian reported last night that British, Australian and New Zealand SAS were all active in northern Iraq. A small number of New Zealand troops are also stationed at Besmeya military base, 52km from Taji. In February, the United States asked all countries including New Zealand to consider sending special forces to assist the fight against the Islamic State (Isis). SAS troops were previously used during New Zealand's deployment to Afghanistan, where they fought alongside local police forces.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 21, 2016 00:00 UTC