Hungarian Soldiers Return Home from Baghdad

The Hungarian soldiers serving in NATO’s advisory and training mission in Iraq have arrived safely and unharmed in the military base in Kecskemét, East Central Hungary. They were withdrawn from Baghdad along with soldiers from other nations after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization suspended the mission indefinitely due to the deteriorating security situation, the Chief of the Hungarian Defense Staff, Lieutenant General Dr. Gábor Böröndi, announced Thursday night.

According to a statement from the Hungarian Ministry of Defense, NATO planned and carried out the transport of the soldiers from Iraq on its own, and a Hungarian Air Force aircraft brought them home from Turkey.

The member states participating in the NATO mission jointly and unanimously decided to withdraw virtually all of the hundreds of soldiers stationed in Baghdad, as they are unable to carry out their duties in the security situation, which has become extremely dangerous. The withdrawal is temporary; as the situation improves, the soldiers may return to Baghdad.

The Chief of the General Staff emphasized that the military carried out the political decision to withdraw quickly, in an organized manner, and in close cooperation with allies. The rapid and successful execution of the withdrawal operations was made possible by the disciplined, precise and well-rehearsed cooperation of several units, he said.