Iraq repatriates military trainees from Pakistan amid regional conflict

BAGHDAD -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani ordered the immediate repatriation of 500 military trainees from Pakistan, citing concerns for their safety amid the escalating tension between India and Pakistan, the Iraqi Defense Ministry said Saturday.

In a statement, the ministry said that al-Sudani, also commander-in-chief of the Iraqi forces, made the decision regarding the trainees, who are currently in Pakistan under a training agreement.

The ministry said it has already implemented all necessary measures to facilitate their return to Iraq.

A military standoff between New Delhi and Islamabad erupted following India's deadly airstrikes on targets in Pakistan and the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday.

Since then, the militaries of India and Pakistan have been targeting each other with missiles, drones, and shelling in the frontier areas close to their border and Line of Control in Kashmir.

New Delhi said its Wednesday airstrikes were in response to last month's killing of 26 people by gunmen in the Indian-controlled Kashmir. It blamed Islamabad for supporting the gunmen, a charge denied by Islamabad.