Fijian and Nepalese troops have returned home as the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) concludes its operations after 22 years. The final contingent of 156 soldiers from Fiji marched proudly through the capital city, Suva, where they were honored by President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu at a ceremony held in Albert Park.
UNAMI was established in the wake of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, with Fiji contributing troops to safeguard UN personnel tasked with overseeing the country’s transition to democracy. The mission has played a significant role in the region, adapting to the evolving circumstances on the ground.
In a significant development last year, Iraq requested the withdrawal of the UN mission, reasoning that the presence of foreign troops was no longer necessary. As a result, the mission has seen reductions in staff numbers, with more than 700 personnel returning home. UNAMI’s offices in northern Iraq have also been shut down, and additional closures are expected in the upcoming months.
With the departure of security forces from both Fiji and Nepal, facilities are gradually being handed over to the Iraqi government, and it is anticipated that all UNAMI properties will be fully returned by September 2026. Despite the conclusion of its mission in Iraq, Fiji remains committed to international peacekeeping, with plans to continue providing troops to the United Nations Disengagement Force in the Golan Heights, demonstrating the nation’s ongoing dedication to global stability.
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