If Singapore faces a direct security threat, forces might be sent to the frontlines for counter-terrorism efforts, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said in Parliament on Monday (Aug 15).
This comes after Member of Parliament Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang GRC) asked Dr Ng for an update on how Singapore can directly contribute to support the multinational coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group.
He said that should Singapore face a direct security threat, the country would fight to make a “real difference”, and not just a “token” contribution.
Dr Ng also added that a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) medical support team will be deployed to Iraq for about three months next year.
“The exact size, composition, and capabilities of the medical support team will be determined after our needs assessment and survey team assesses the situation,” he said.
He added that the medical team will take care of injured soldiers and civilians in the event of a battle against ISIS.
It was first announced in November 2014 by Dr Ng that Singapore will participate in the multinational coalition against ISIS.
In 2007, Singapore sent 492 SAF servicemen to Afghanistan during a six-year deployment to the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, which ended in 2013. It was the SAF’s longest overseas deployment, The Straits Times reported.
Source: AsiaOne
