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In coalition against Islamic State, Hungary extends mission in Iraq until 2019

Hungary will station 200 soldiers – or 400 during the replacement period – in Iraq. They will carry out military assistance and advisory tasks alongside training and defense duties

Hungary’s Parliament has agreed to extend the nation's mission in Iraq and increase its staff and powers in contribution to the international coalition’s fight against the Islamic State militant group.

The Hungarian Armed Forces sent a contingent of up to 150 soldiers – or 300 during the replacement period – to the training center in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan in 2015 for two years. The government submitted a proposal for extending the mission by two years in April.

Under the law passed on Tuesday, Hungary will station 200 soldiers – or 400 during the replacement period – in Iraq. The Hungarian contingent will carry out military assistance and advisory tasks alongside its training and defense duties. The contingent’s mission is set to last until December 31, 2019.

The motion was passed with 133 votes in favor, 61 against and 2 abstentions.