Kazakhstan pulls out Iraq troops

Kazakhstan will withdraw its troops in Iraq when the term of its present unit runs out.

We have proposed that when the term ends no other contingent would be sent to Iraq. Matters will end there, Defence Minister Mukhtar Altynbayev announced on Khabar television.

The country has a small 27-strong unit deployed in the southern town of Kut, which is to leave on May 30.

The minister did not link the decision with the escalating tension in the war-torn country, but specified the troops have been ordered confined to their camp.Kazakhstan has suffered no casualties in Iraq so far.

Earlier this week ex-Soviet Ukraine pulled out its troops in Kut, following heavy fighting. A Ukrainian serviceman was killed together with other 34 coalition troops.

13 Apr 2004