Minister of Defence visits Hungarian contingent serving in Iraq

During their dayslong tour, István Simicskó and the Hungarian delegation accompanying him visited all those bases where Hungarian troops are deployed, and also met with their commanders and the local military leaders. Based on his experience, the minister emphasized that wherever they went, everybody appreciated the Hungarian soldiers’ service in Iraq and spoke positively about them.

While on the bases, the minster and the Hungarian delegation were informed about the security situation of the region, the related military tasks and the activities of the mission so far. As the minister underlined, it had turned out that the Hungarian troops deployed with the multinational coalition forces had achieved outstanding results in training Peshmerga (Iraqi Kurdish soldiers) and in preparing them for fighting the terror organization that calls itself Islamic State. He went on noting that in the recent period, the local armed forces have been fighting very effectively and managed to regain large territories from the terror organization.

Speaking at the staff meetings held for the Hungarian troops, the Hungarian political and military leaders thanked the soldiers for their work in the mission. An answer to a question from Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő revealed that prior to the start of their tour with the mission, almost all Hungarian troops serving in Iraq had participated in protecting Hungary’s southern border. Besides, on each military base, the general requested the soldiers to ask him questions and raise problems about their work and life both abroad and at home.

István Simicskó stated that the Hungarian military leaders and politicians had already started discussing these issues, and are trying to settle them at the earliest. In addition, the Hungarian delegation informed the soldiers about some further current issues in the field of national defence.

The Hungarians serving with the Iraqi mission received gifts from home, including sausage, salami and – in response to their earlier request – several hundred kilograms of dumbbell sets and other exercise equipment.

The entourage of the minister of defence included, among others, Chairman of the Parliament’s Committee on National Defence and Law Enforcement Lajos Kósa (Fidesz) and Vice-Chairman of the Committee Tamás Harangozó (Hungarian Socialist Party, MSZP). The minister told the press that one of their reasons for visiting the Kurdistan region was to gain first-hand experience about the problems of the region and its security situation. On the basis of this, István Simicskó said that the current situation is very complex in the region with a rich historical past, where, besides other problems, the activity of the Islamic State presents a serious threat.

The Hungarian political and military leaders held discussions, among others, with the Peshmerga leader and the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the local Minister of the Interior who is presently also an acting minister of defence, the Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as Hungary’s ambassador to Iraq and the Consul General in Erbil. Talking about his experiences, István Simicskó said that the Hungarian service personnel are maintaining good relations with the Kurdish population in Iraq, and the cooperation is excellent between them and the local armed forces.

The Chairman of the Parliament’s Committee on National Defence and Law Enforcement told the press that at the time, the National Assembly had voted for Hungary’s engagement in the Iraqi mission by two-thirds majority. Lajos Kósa noted that one reason for the present visit is a “basic principle" that Hungarian troops should only be sent to those countries that the politicians themselves would also visit. He added that the delegation also intended to get an update on the local circumstances and the possibilities for fighting the Islamic State.

Addressing Hungarian soldiers, Lajos Kósa emphasized that they are doing an important service in Iraq, which enhances Hungary’s prestige on an international level, in NATO as well. He also underlined that thanks to the developing Hungarian economy, the government will continuously increase the defence budget. He added that, as a result, we can be not only a recognized but also a strong member of NATO in a couple of years.

Vice-Chairman of the Committee Tamás Harangozó (MSZP) took the opportunity at every staff meeting to explain why his party had not voted for the Iraqi engagement at the time. Among the reasons, he mentioned that they had been underinformed about the mission-related tasks and thought that the Iraqi mission may expose Hungary to increased terrorist threat, for which the Hungarian secret services and state security organs had not been prepared.

Furthermore, Tamás Harangozó pointed out that another reason for his present visit to the Kurdistan region of Iraq was to gain personal experience of the region and learn about the security situation and the Hungarian soldiers’ mission-related work.

The Member of Parliament (MSZP) told the press that the Hungarian troops were performing their duties in Iraq under adequate circumstances. He noted that in contrast to earlier reports, Hungary’s military role is more complex indeed. After being brought up to date on the spot, he emphasized that now he thinks that the Hungarian troops are performing their tasks effectively and successfully in the Iraqi mission. “The citizens of Hungary can be proud of our soldiers", the Socialist politician added.

In June 2014, the Iraqi government turned to the UN member states for help with the fight against the Islamic State. At the United States’ request, acting upon a decision of the National Assembly, last year Hungary joined the multinational mission.

Photo: Péter Snoj