Home>News Center>World
         
 

Honduran troops complete withdrawal from Iraq
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-05-19 13:15

The last Honduran troops in Iraq have completed their withdrawal earlier than planned because of the spiraling violence in the war zone, a Honduran defense ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

"All our soldiers have now left Iraq and are in Kuwait. The last group arrived in Kuwait today," Lt. Col. Rafael Moreno told Reuters.

The Central American nation's 370-strong contingent had intended to stay in Iraq until its mandate expired in July but decided to pull out early after Spain's announcement last month that it would withdraw its 1,400 troops.

The Honduran troops started their withdrawal on May 11 and the last group to leave will fly back on Friday to a military base shared with U.S. troops in central Honduras, Moreno said.

Spain had been in charge of troops from other Spanish-speaking nations in Iraq, including those from El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

Although Central American countries were keen to build on close trade and immigration ties with the United States by sending troops to Iraq, support for the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq has dwindled as attacks on foreign troops and civilians have escalated.

"There was a total change in the situation and our troops weren't going to fight. We went (to participate in) operations of stabilization, security and reconstruction," said Moreno.

"When the armed violence began to escalate, our troops had to regroup and stop their patrols and vigilance due to the threats."

Nicaragua brought its troops home in February and said recently it would send them back only as part of a United Nations peace mission.

The Dominican Republic has announced it will also bring its troops home early. El Salvador has said it will keep its soldiers in Iraq until their scheduled return in August but has yet to say whether they will be replaced.

Honduras sent troops to Iraq around the middle of last year. They have mainly been clearing mines and providing medical care in central Iraq.

 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

WHO: China's SARS outbreak contained

 

   
 

Taipei urged not to misjudge Beijing's resolve

 

   
 

US witness: 'Cover-up' at Iraq Abu Ghraib

 

   
 

Gandhi walks away from Indian PM post

 

   
 

US delegation to Taiwan opposed

 

   
 

Soldier on trial for Iraq prisoner abuse

 

   
  Honduran troops complete withdrawal from Iraq
   
  Rafah residents 'living in hell'
   
  Iraqis demand more power, US holds abuse trial
   
  Gandhi walks away from Indian PM post
   
  Israel kills 20 Palestinians in big Gaza raid
   
  Typhoon toll rises to 19 as Philippines mops up
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  News Talk  
  Scandal over humiliation of Iraqi prisoners  
Advertisement