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  1. Estonian Defence Forces
  2. Estonian Defence Forces
  3. Operations abroad

Operations abroad

The Estonian Defence Forces have been active in operations abroad since participating in the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) mission Croatia in 1995. The first combat experiences for the Estonian military were gained from Iraq in 2003.

Current operations

 

European Union Training Mission in Mozambique is a training mission of the European Union launched by the Council of Europe. The Mission will provide training and support to the Mozambican armed forces to protect the civilian population and restore security in the Cabo Delgado province.

Estonia contributes in this mission since December 2021. 

Official website of the operation

Operation Inherent Resolve is a United States of America’s leaded international military operation in Iraq. The operation aims to defeat Daesh and increase regional stability.

Estonian contribution

  • staff officer
  • training team 

Within the framework of Inherent Resolve Estonia participates in a multinational military-strategic team advising Iraqi ministries and security forces. By participating in the operation, Estonia is increasing the security of Europe and NATO.

Official website of the operation

NATO Mission Iraq is a non-combat training and advisory mission founded on partnership and inclusivity as well as on full respect for Iraq’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
The mission develops a self-sustaining Iraqi training capability by training Iraqi trainers on a variety of disciplines. It also aims to help Iraq build and sustain more effective, transparent and inclusive national security structures and institutions.
The direction to launch a new training mission in Iraq called NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) was issued by Allied leaders at the NATO Summit in Brussels in July 2018. The mission was established in Baghdad in October 2018.

Estonian contribution

  • staff officer
  • force protection unit

Official website of the mission

UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) is a UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. It is mandated to monitor the cessation of hostilities; accompany and support the Lebanese Armed Forces as they deploy throughout the south of Lebanon, and coordinate its activities with the Governments of Lebanon and Israel. The mission also aims to ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.

Estonian contribution

  • staff officer

Until 2019 Estonian Defence Forces infantry platoon, NSE and staff officers served in Lebanon. From Estonia’s perspective, contributing to UNIFIL helps to restore peace and security specifically in the Middle East as well internationally.
From December 1996 to May 1997 Estonian detachment to UNIFIL was an infantry company as a part of the Norwegian battalion.

Official website of the mission

UNTSO (the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization) was the very first peacekeeping mission established by the United Nations. Since 1948 UNTSO Military Observers have been in the Middle East to monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating and assist other United Nations peacekeeping operations in the region. Since 1997 Estonian officers have participated in UNTSO as military observers.

Estonian contribution

  • three military observers

Estonian observers are serving in rotations in Israel, Lebanon and Syria. The yearlong mission consists of patrols, manning observation posts and staff work.

Official website of the mission

EUNAVFOR Med (European Union Naval Force Mediterranean) operation IRINI is a European Union’s military operation on the Mediterranean Sea. IRINI serves a continuation of the now-concluded mission SOPHIA which was launched in 2015 with the objective to restrain human trafficking between Libya and Europe.

In March 2020, EU launched operation IRINI to support the enforcement of the UN arms embargo on Libya. The mission is therefore mandated to carry out inspections of vessels off the coast of Libya suspected to be carrying arms to and from Libya. In addition, the operation is to support the application of UN measures to prohibit the illegal export of crude oil from Libya, and the training and building up of the Libyan navy and border guard.

Estonian contribution

  • logistics officer (in mission’s HQ in Rome)

By taking part of the mission, Estonia solidarily with other EU countries contributes to common military missions and managing the immigration crisis. Estonia has been taking part of the EUNAVFOR MED missions since 2015.

Official website of the mission

Central African Republic

  • EUFOR RCA 05.2014 – 08.2014

Mediterranean Sea

Mali

  • EUTM Mali 03.2013 – 11.2022

  • MINUSMA 09.2013– 11.2022

  • BARKHANE 08.2018– 06.2022

Horn of Africa

  • EUNAVFOR Somalia / operation ATALANTA 12.2010 – 05.2013

Iraq

Macedonia

  • EU military operation Concordia 05.2003–12.2003

Afghanistan

  • ISAF 03.2003 – 12.2014

  • Resolute Support 01.2015– 06.2021

Kosovo

  • KFOR 11.1999 – 10.2018

Israel, Syria

Lebanon

Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • IFOR, SFOR 04.1996–11.2004

  • NATO HQ Sarajevo 12.2004–06.2005

  • EUFOR ALTHEA 12.2005–12.2011

Croatia

  • UNPROFOR 03.1995–10.1995

Last updated: 27. April 2023, 14:36

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