DR NG VISITS SAF MEDICAL TEAM IN IRAQ

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen visited the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) medical team deployed in Iraq on 26 Sep to show his support and to emphasise the importance of their mission there.

The SAF has deployed medical teams to Iraq to provide medical support to the multinational coalition forces contributing to counter-Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) efforts there since June. There, they have been working closely alongside counterparts from the Australian Defence Force and the New Zealand Defence Force.

Dr Ng said of the team: "SAF s medical team at the coalition camp in Iraq are in high spirits. Working together with US, Australia and New Zealand, they are providing excellent medical care for coalition soldiers there."

Upon his arrival, Dr Ng was given a rousing traditional Haka welcome by the coalition forces - a gesture of honour. He was then briefed by the SAF medical team on their tasks and responsibilities at the medical centre, and given a tour of the medical centre.

Dr Ng also received a briefing from the coalition commanders from Australia and New Zealand. Highlighting the progress of the counter-ISIS operations, they emphasised that the continued support from partners like Singapore was vital in addressing the terrorist threat at source, and expressed appreciation for the SAF medical team s contributions.

After his visit, Dr Ng said: "There is another important task that goes on at the coalition camp - training the Iraqi military to defend their own land against ISIS and other extremist elements.

"The coalition commanders I spoke to, gave two pieces of good news. One, that ISIS is falling faster than anticipated and now reduced to pockets of resistance in Iraq. And second, the Iraqi Army has raised their capabilities over time.

"We should tall take heart in this progress, and that the battle against extremist terrorism is being won by countries who believe in law and order and the rights of their own citizens to choose their way of life."

Since Dr Ng s announcement in November 2014, the SAF has been supporting the multinational coalition efforts against the extremist threats posed by ISIS. Since the announcement, the SAF has deployed planners, liaison officers, intelligence fusion officers, imagery analysis teams, and Republic of Singapore Air Force KC-135R tanker aircraft.

Dr Ng was accompanied by Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Perry Lim, Deputy Secretary (Policy) Keith Tan, and senior SAF officers.

As part of this trip, Dr Ng also visited Jordan and called on the King of Jordan, His Majesty Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein, as well as Prime Minister and Defence Minister Hani Fawzi Al-Mulki. During the calls, a range of security issues were discussed, including the threat of transnational terrorism and ways to counter it.