Norwegian special forces soldiers to train local Syrian groups to support coalition fighting ISIS in Syria and Iraq

Norway will send 60 troops, including special forces soldiers, to train, advise and give operational support to local Syrian groups as part of international efforts to counter Islamic State militants, the government said on Monday.

Norwegian troops will be based in Jordan. The soldiers belonging to the Norwegian special forces would conduct the training in Jordan, Prime Minister Erna Solberg said at a press conference in Oslo. “The brutal acts by the Islamic State have cost many civilians their lives and led an even greater number to flee (the country),” Solberg said.

“The brutal acts by IS have cost many civilians their lives and led an even greater number to flee (the country),” Solberg said.

The IS group has also “brought terrorism to Europe and young people are radicalised and recruited in order to have foreign fighters,” she added.

The Syrian groups that will be trained by the Norwegian soldiers were not identified, but according to Defence Minister Ine Eriksen SoreidIne Eriksen, they were chosen following a “thorough and systematic” selection process.

Norway’s Defence Minister Ine Erikesen Soreide said the new contribution was in line with a request from the international coalition and Norway‘s allies including the United States, Britain and France.

‘The coalition has asked for this type of assistance, and our contribution is greatly valued. The fighting itself will be done by others, but we can help by enhancing their combat capabilities,’ said Minister of Defence Ine Eriksen Søreide.

Norway’s decision comes a week after the United States announced its biggest expansion of US ground troops in Syria since its civil war began.

More than 65 countries and organisations have joined the international coalition against ISIS, including Western countries and countries in the region.

Norway is already involved in the anti-ISIS coalition, in particular by training Kurdish peshmerga fighters in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

Norway has previously sent troops to train Iraqi ground forces in northern Iraq. “Although IS has access to heavy military equipment, the fight against them has had an effect,” Eriksen Soreide told reporters.

Norway has also stepped up its civilian efforts in the region. ‘In 2016 Norway will provide a total of NOK 200 million (25 million dollars) for stabilisation measures in Iraq and Syria.. to assist the civilian population.. and to prevent other extremist groups from gaining a foothold,’ says Foreign Minister Børge Brende. Norway also intends to spend up to NOK 50 million to map and clear landmines in formerly ISIS-held areas in Syria.

Norway will also provide NOK 10 billion to Syria and the region over the next four years. This will be Norway’s largest ever humanitarian contribution.