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Irish and British troops are joining forces for the first time to train military units in war-torn Mali.
13 FEBRUARY 2013
Irish and British troops are joining forces for the first time to train military units in war-torn Mali.
The joint deployment will be led by the British and will be part of an overall European Union military training mission.
Mr Shatter said: "This will be the first occasion there has been a formal joint deployment under the UN mandate of mission involving our defence forces and the UK."
Mr Shatter confirmed the mission after bilateral talks with British Defence Secretary Philip Hammond in Dublin, where European defence ministers are holding an informal meeting as part as Ireland's presidency of the EU.
It will include armed military training as well as human rights issues and the protection of civilians.
Mr Shatter said the military co-operation, almost two years after the Queen's historic visit to Ireland, was a further sign of closer ties between the two nations.
"We would see this as yet another step along the road of the development and continuing broadening and enhancing of relationships with the United Kingdom," he added.
The Royal Irish Regiment is not to return to Afghanistan for a final tour before the withdrawal of combat troops at the end of next year, it has been confirmed.
Meanwhile, Irish defence minister Alan Shatter confirmed on Wednesday that 18 Royal Irish soldiers are going to Mali along with eight from the Irish Defence Forces as part of a European Union training mission
Oh no.
RGJ is gonna have a field day about this.....
no - i won't Goldie - credit where credit is due - the Irish DF are proportionally providing much greater representation than we are (initially anyhow).
good luck to the lads and well done - lets see more of this.
RGJ
...Once a Rifleman - Always a Rifleman...Celer et Audax
'He died who loved to live,' they'll say,
'Unselfishly so we might have today!'
Like hell! He fought because he had to fight;
He died that's all. It was his unlucky night. http://www.salamanderoasis.org/poems...nnis/luck.html
British troops have arrived in Mali to assist in the training of the Malian military as part of a European Union Training Mission.
"Let us be clear about three facts. First, all battles and all wars are won in the end by the infantryman. Secondly, the infantryman always bears the brunt. His casualties are heavier, he suffers greater extremes of discomfort and fatigue than the other arms. Thirdly, the art of the infantryman is less stereotyped and far harder to acquire in modern war than that of any other arm." ------- Field Marshall Wavell, April 1945.
'He died who loved to live,' they'll say,
'Unselfishly so we might have today!'
Like hell! He fought because he had to fight;
He died that's all. It was his unlucky night. http://www.salamanderoasis.org/poems...nnis/luck.html
Royal Irish land in war-torn Mali
Published on 28/03/2013 09:54
TROOPS from 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment have arrived in Mali to help train local soldiers fighting Islamist extremists in the west African state.
UK personnel are part of a European Union training mission to help Malian armed forces.
Ministers have consistently stressed that British troops will not be involved in a combat role.
In February, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond announced that the UK would contribute 40 personnel to the training mission.
Announcing their arrival in Mali, Mr Hammond said: “Through this mission we will support the Malian government to counter the violent insurgency that has not only disrupted their country, but which also poses a clear threat to our national interests here in the UK.
“British support to the mission in Mali, including assistance with training, logistics and surveillance, highlights the impressive flexibility of our armed forces.
“British troops will not deploy in a combat role but, through training the Malian armed forces, we can assist in restoring order and denying terrorists a safe haven in the country.”
Some 21 personnel from 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment arrived in the Malian capital Bamako on Tuesday and will be joined by troops from 45 Commando Royal Marines and 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.
They will also be joined by six personnel from The Irish Defence Force, who travelled to Mali on the same aircraft.
Major Simon Holden, from 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, who is commanding officer of the Infantry Training team, said: “The Irish Defence Force is well-versed in training and mentoring roles, and it will be a privilege to command them.
“We have conducted several weeks of pre-deployment training together at Ternhill barracks to prepare for the tour. It is an historic occasion.
“As the officer in command of the infantry training team I will be responsible for orchestrating the training of Malian troops working alongside the French, Czech and Danish forces, as part of the EU mission to bring stability to the region.”
The training mission, under the command of French Brigadier General Francois Lecointre, is expected to continue for about 15 months and involve around 500 staff from 22 EU member states.
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