Sweden extends training program for Kurdish troops In Iraq
Sweden formally extended its commitment to training Kurdish peshmerga forces in Iraq to fight the Islamic State until the end of 2016. Funding is in place to continue training programs for Kurdish troops in Iraq over the next 14 months. The training program is being run by a team of 35 specialists drawn from elite […]Gerard O'Dwyer writes for Defense News:
Sweden formally extended its commitment to training Kurdish peshmerga forces in Iraq to fight the Islamic State until the end of 2016. Funding is in place to continue training programs for Kurdish troops in Iraq over the next 14 months. The training program is being run by a team of 35 specialists drawn from elite combat units within the Swedish Army. "We are committed to this work. The unit’s number may be small, but the focus should not be on numbers. This is a very capable, competent and highly qualified unit," said Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist.
The unit, which comprises operational mentoring and liaison teams, became operational in Iraq in August. The training is reported to be concentrated on operations and combat discipline, coordinated actions, weapons training and stealth reconnaissance skills.
