Hungary Sending 150 Troops to Iraqi Training Centre

Hungary will send up to 150 troops to help guard a military training centre in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil as part of international efforts against ISIS extremists.

The proposal approved on Tuesday 137-57 by lawmakers authorises the contingent’s mission until December 2017.

Defense Minister CsabaHende said Hungary had been asked by the United States to join the initiative to train local troops, which Hungary supported because the actions of ISIS “are an increasing threat to international peace and security”.

The success of the proposal, which needed the backing of two-thirds of lawmakers, was ensured after several opposition deputies, including former Socialist Prime Minister FerencGyurcsany, voted together with Prime Minister Viktor Orban’sFidesz party, which lost its two-thirds majority in a February special election.

Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, hold up their weapons as they attend a protest against Saudi-led airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, April 10, 2015.