The Estonian public radio reported on Tuesday that despite Estonia's plans to continue its current military deployment abroad in 2025, it will significantly reduce the size of its largest mission in Iraq.

And after the Estonian radio report pointed out that military deployments are carried out within the framework of missions under the United Nations, the European Union, and NATO, he said that the National Defense Committee met yesterday, Monday, to prepare the necessary draft laws regarding military deployments abroad, which include Estonia's participation in seven missions over the next year.

The report indicated that the number of Estonian defense forces deployed in Iraq peaked at 110 during 2023, representing Estonia's largest military mission abroad. However, starting next year, this number will be reduced by nearly half to 63 soldiers.

The report pointed out that the "Operation Inherent Resolve," led by the United States, aims to provide advice and support to Iraqi security forces to develop a defensive system after more than 20 years since the coalition invasion, which will help local security forces defeat terrorist groups and ensure security and stability.

The report mentioned that the majority of the Estonian forces are stationed at the Harir Air Base in the Kurdistan region, whose tasks include providing personal protection, rapid response capabilities, and ensuring the security of the base.

The report continued that Estonia is now considering deploying a smaller infantry unit, allowing it to continue performing most of its assigned tasks at a reduced level, focusing on the first two tasks, namely providing personal protection and rapid response capabilities.

He pointed out that Estonia also participates in the NATO training mission in Iraq with one staff officer, and it is involved in missions in the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, Mozambique, Lebanon, and other parts of the Middle East, albeit with smaller military units.

The report indicated that members of the Estonian Defense Forces gained their first combat experience since Estonia's independence in 1991 during their participation in Iraq in 2003.