Iraq

Sweden’s military involvement in Iraq consists of a force of 70 servicemen and women that are tasked with training Iraqi armed forces. The aim of the mission is to help Iraqi armed forces resist the development of the so-called Islamic State (IS). If necessary, the Swedish detachment can be temporarily reinforced by an additional 120 members of staff.

En australiensisk soldat hjälper en irakisk soldat med hans vapen., 29 juli, 2015.
En australiensisk soldat hjälper en irakisk soldat med hans vapen., 29 juli, 2015.
Photo: Spc. Paris Maxey/US Army

This multinational operation, which is being conducted in Iraq and Syria, is led from the US Central Command in Tampa, Florida. The coalition's military plan for Iraq initially aims to limit the advances of IS by educating and training Iraqi defence forces to subsequently combat the group. This plan forms part of a wider military strategy, together with a variety of other approaches, such as diplomacy and humanitarian measures.

Swedish forces are based primarily in northern Iraq, with the chief task of providing advice and training support to Iraqi defence forces.