LJUBLJANA, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia suggested again on Wednesday that it could potentially withdraw its soldiers from Iraq, with defense minister Andreja Katic explaining to the parliamentary defense committee about her earlier statement about this possibility.
On Nov. 6, Katic said on national TV that she would be in favor of a withdrawal from Iraq any time the lives of members of the Slovenian Armed Forces were in peril, according to the Slovenian Press Agency (STA).
Katic outlined for parliament a likely proposal for Slovenia's withdrawal from Iraq, and to instead put a stronger focus on other international operations and missions that Slovenia is already taking part in.
She mentioned her earlier reply to local press about the deteriorating situation in Iraq's Kurdistan region, saying: "I'll support a withdrawal any time a journalist asks me what will happen if the situation in a region worsens to a degree that the lives of Slovenian army members are in peril."
Katic briefed parliamentary members on the situation in Iraq, arguing that in helping train Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Slovenia had contributed significantly to national goals and the goals of the coalition regarding the liberation of territories controlled by the Islamic State (IS), especially in the Mosul area.
The Slovenian Armed Forces has been taking part in Operation Inherent Resolve in northern Iraq since Sept. 5 of last year. Six contingent members are located in the Kurdistan Training Coordination Centre (KTCC) in Erbil, according to the defense ministry.
Katic believes the Slovenian army has been successful and effective in meeting its goals, and said Slovenia was discussing with partners the possibility of redirecting its contribution in Iraq so as to put it under NATO's wing.
"It is, however, a fact that a long-term stabilization of Iraq will require additional efforts, which is also being acknowledged by the European Union (EU) and NATO," Katic was quoted by STA as saying.
