Nepal Army directs its peacekeepers in Iraq to “stay alert”

KATHMANDU, Jan 8: Nepal Army Wednesday has directed its peace keepers deployed in Iraq to remain alert in the wake of the intensifying tension between the United States and Iran.

Iran fired a more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing US troops early Wednesday in retaliation for the airstrike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani last week—the first act of the Islamic Republic after it promised revenge against the US move.

“The Nepali Guard Unit deployed at the UN Base in Kirkun and Erbil have been directed to adopt caution” said Nepal Army in a press release.

The Nepal Army also stated that Nepali peacekeepers are safe until now.

NA also directed Nepali peacekeepers in Lebanon and Sirya to remain alert and regularly report to the mission and NA headquarters.

There are currently 77 NA UN peacekeepers in Iraq, 230 in Libiya, 342 in Sirya, 871 in Lebanon.