A contingent of Japanese forces crossed Sunday into Iraq from Kuwait as part of Tokyo's deployment to a combat zone since World War II.
The troops, most of them engineers, are part of a deployment expected to total some 800 troops in a "humanitarian mission" in southern Iraq. Another 200 are to remain in Kuwait.
The troops who crossed the border Sunday traveled in a 25-vehicle convoy from the US Camp Virginia in Kuwait. The convoy consisted of armored vehicles, trucks, personnel carriers, and an ambulance.
Tokyo has already sent advance teams and three C-130 cargo planes to the region. The troops will purify water and carry out other "humanitarian tasks" in Iraq.
Meanwhile, in Tokyo on Sunday, Japan's defense chief, Shigeru Ishiba, said the government wouldn't order its forces out of Iraq until they have completed their "humanitarian mission", even if Japanese soldiers are killed in attacks. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
