Fars News Agency :: Iran's Army, Active Force in Int'l Peacekeeping Missions

Fars News Agency :: Iran's Army, Active Force in Int'l Peacekeeping Missions

Iran's Army, Active Force in Int'l Peacekeeping Missions TEHRAN (FNA)- The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran is among active forces in the UN peacekeeping missions and has so far dispatched peacekeepers to other countries.

The Iranian Army's present peacekeeping unit, formed in 1992, is doing observing and peacekeeping missions in various countries now. In a bid to learn the UN standard criteria for peacekeeping operations, 12 Iranian officers have recently been dispatched to Italy, India, Turkey and Switzerland to take part in relevant training courses. The army sent 4 of its peacekeeping troops to Eritrea and Ethiopia in 2003 and later dispatched 4 peacekeepers to Sudan and South Sudan. Right now, Iranian peacekeepers are in a mission in Darfur. In October 2011, Iranian Army Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan said Iran's well-trained and skilled peacekeeping forces are ready to be sent to any necessary mission called by the UN. The commander added that the forces were familiar with three English, Arabic and French languages and have accomplished various courses in combat and guerrilla warfare.