New Zealand says it will withdraw all of its troops fromIraq by next June.
The South Pacific nation has a small contingent of 95so-called noncombat personnel deployed at the Taji Military Complex northwestof Baghdad, where they are tasked with training Iraqi security forces.
The training mission is a joint operation with Australia,which has about 300 troops stationed at Taji. Australia has not made anyannouncement about its long-term plans at the base.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Monday the number of NewZealand troops will be reduced to 75 by July and then to 45 by January beforeall the troops all withdrawn.
Ardern also announced New Zealand will reduce the number ofdefense force personnel it has posted in Afghanistan from 13 to 11.