Japan orders withdrawal of air defense forces from Iraq
28/11/2008 16:48
Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada announced today the withdrawal
of the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) in Iraq by the end of the year, marking a
full end to the ASDF's mission in Iraq that began almost five years ago.
The
decision was made by Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and Cabinet ministers
concerned at a meeting of the national security council in the morning.
The
government cited improvements in the political and security situation in Iraq,
as well as the expiration at the end of the year of a UN resolution authorizing
the current deployment of multinational forces in the country as reasons for
withdrawal.
The ASDF continued its airlift mission in Iraq, even after Ground
Self-Defense Force troops were withdrawn from the country in 2006.
The ASDF
began airlifting activities in Iraq in March 2004. Deploying around 200
personnel, the ASDF has operated mainly from an airbase in Kuwait, using three
C-130 transport planes.
The ASDF is currently airlifting troops and materials
for the US-led multinational forces as well as for the United Nations to three
airports in Iraq, including the country's capital, Baghdad.
As of Nov. 26,
the ASDF had transported around 671 tons of materials in 810 separate
airlifts.
Japan announced in mid-September that it would begin mulling
complete withdrawal by the end of the year.
The ASDF will dispatch about 70
personnel to form a 130-person withdrawal work unit in Kuwait. The airlift
mission itself is expected to end in mid-December, Kyodo said.
Xinhua
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