Oslo, Oct 31 (IANS): Norway announced that it will send 120 soldiers to Iraq.
The soldiers will not "be in direct combat with the forces of the Islamic State (IS). They shall, instead, assist with capacity building of Iraqi security forces", Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said Thursday.
Norwegian soldiers will be stationed in Erbil and provide counselling and support for Iraqi security forces in areas near Baghdad, Solberg said.
Norwegian Defence Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide said that the purpose of the contribution is to strengthen Iraq's ability to protect its own security.