FIJI: More Fijians Go to Iraq
There are now 224 Fijian troops serving in Iraq, and an estimated 1,000 more are serving with private security firms holding contracts for the United States government in both Iraq and Kuwait.
Fiji's cabinet has approved the deployment of two guard units to Iraq under the United Nations Assistance Mission mandate.
The 90 soldiers will provide security for UN facilities at Basra and Erbil on a six month posting.
The duties are similar to those being performed by the Fijian soldiers currently serving in the capital, Baghdad.
Eighty per cent of the guard unit comes from regular forces, and the other 20 per cent are territorial soldiers.
There are now 224 Fijian troops serving in Iraq, and an estimated 1,000 more are serving with private security firms holding contracts for the United States government in both Iraq and Kuwait.
Marshalls soldier evacuated for medical treatment
The first Marshall Islander to be seriously injured in Iraq has been evacuated for emergency treatment in Germany, and will later be sent to the US for further medical care.
Paul Lejjena, a staff sergeant with the US army, is in a serious condition with broken limbs, burns and internal injuries, after a roadside bomb exploded near his patrol last week.
More than 100 Marshall Islanders are estimated to be serving in the US army, with about 20 of them currently in Iraq or Afghanistan.
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