October 15, Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis submitted to the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania a draft resolution for increasing the number of Lithuanian servicemembers in the NATO Mission Iraq to 50. The parliamentary resolution currently in force allows deployment of up to 11 civilian and military personnel of the National Defence System to serve in the NATO Mission Iraq. At the moment, one Lithuanian soldier is deployed and two more are planned to deploy to the region of operation in the end of October.
NATO is reviewing the mission and objectives of the NATO Mission Iraq as the operational environment in the country is changing. Such combat tasks as completed by the US-led coalition Operation Inherent Resolve are now fewer, while the load of training, mentoring and strategic advising tasks is increasing as the Government of Iraq is assisted in developing an independent security force. This kind of tasks is the responsibility of the NATO Mission Iraq.
“The need for Alliance forces in the area of operations is growing together with the increase of tasks in Iraq. So we continue fulfilling our international security and stability commitments as we are sharing in the efforts of the international community to counter security challenges together,” Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis says.
Denmark takes the lead of the NATO Mission Iraq from October 2020 for two years. In the beginning of the year the three Baltic countries received a request to consider bigger contributions. Lithuania has evaluated the possibility like the rest of the Allies and decided to do more regarding the operation.
Lithuania plans increasing the contingent in Iraq to approx. 35 soldiers by deploying a 32-strong Force Protection Unit in late 2021.
Lithuanian military personnel will not engage in combat actions in Iraq.
Lithuania has been taking part in the US-led operation in Iraq, Inherent Resolve, since early 2017, with a constant contribution of 6 military instructors training local security forces. The Lithuanians deployed home when the Danish Contingent they were serving as part of in north-western part of Iraq, Al Asad air base, was pulled out on the basis of Denmark’s decision to begin preparation for leading the NATO Mission Iraq. The decision was agreed to by the mission leadership and countries in the coalition because mission activities and Iraqi force training have been suspended since spring 2020. The decision has been also influenced by the global epidemiological situation.
Lithuania remains committed to coalition partners despite the currently small contribution in the area of operation.
Approx. 120 Lithuanian soldiers are currently serving in nine different international operations and missions.
The Seimas is expected to consider the resolution in a session in November.
Photo credit: Lithuanian Armed Forces
