150 Hungarian soldiers, told BasNews, have volunteered to be stationed in Erbil, as the country prepares to participate in the international coalition against Islamic State (IS).
The Economy Minister has been told to provide almost $20 million for the preparations. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told his Parliament’s foreign affairs committee on the 17th March that total costs for the first year of the country’s involvement are likely to reach around $72 million.
The Hungarian trainers will join troops from 11 other countries involved in preparing Peshmerga to return to the frontline to face IS.
They are expected to remain at the undisclosed Erbil camp until the end of 2017.
Last week a 600 strong battalion of Peshmerga began a 4 week training course at the Zerevani camp in Bnaslawa. They are receiving instruction in marksmanship, tactics and battlefield first aid from military advisors from the UK, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands.
