A national celebration is set to take place next Monday to honor the historic withdrawal of the First Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment (1FIR) from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), marking the conclusion of nearly two decades of military involvement in the region.
The Fijian Cabinet has approved the commemoration, recognizing the sacrifices of Fijian soldiers, their families, and communities who have supported the mission. Fiji has been a longstanding and reliable partner of the United Nations peacekeeping efforts, deploying troops to various conflict zones worldwide since 1978. Notable missions include contributions to Lebanon, the Golan Heights, South Sudan, and East Timor.
In December of the previous year, the final contingent of 1FIR soldiers was deployed to Iraq as the UN began to scale back its operations. Their successful return this month officially closes Fiji’s chapter in UNAMI.
The government emphasizes that the national celebration scheduled for December 22 will serve not only to commemorate the safe return of the battalion but also to reaffirm Fiji’s unwavering commitment to global peace and security. This event represents an important milestone in Fiji’s contribution to international peacekeeping and highlights the value of dedication and sacrifice in service to global stability.
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