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SINGAPORE: The Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) peace support missions in Iraq have come to a close, as the international coalition forces there plan a phased pull-out of troops.
The final 200 Singapore military personnel there were awarded the SAF Overseas Service Medal on Friday, in recognition of their peace support efforts in the North Arabian Gulf last year.
Friday also marks the 6th anniversary since the war in Iraq started in 2003.
The servicemen and women, led by LTC Tan Bian and LTC Tan Kai Cheong, had served on board the RSS Resolution for over 113 days.
Presenting the medals, Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said contributing to international peace-keeping missions remain important to safeguarding Singapore's national security.
He added that such missions bring stability to critical regions, including the Middle East, and prevents violence from being spread to other parts of the world.
Altogether, the SAF had made 11 deployments to Iraq. Nearly a thousand SAF personnel had participated in peace-support operations there to date.
The support included air-to-air refuelling services to coalition aircraft, transport for personnel and supplies, and guarding key installations in the Gulf.
- CNA/yt
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