Operations abroad

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.

The Estonian Defence Forces support the mission with one staff officer.

Official website of the mission.

The European Union military operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, launched in response to the Red Sea crisis, aims to achieve maritime presence and situational awareness in the area of operations and to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea in cooperation with like-minded maritime security actors. The main tasks of the operation are to protect vessels from attack and to escort them throughout the area of operations, thereby ensuring the security of vessels and freedom of navigation. The ultimate objective of the operation is to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea region. The operation is strictly defensive in natuure – no offensive strikes will be conducted, including against land targets.

Estonia is participating in the European Union operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES with one member of the Defence Forces.

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.

The Estonian Defence Forces support the mission with one staff officer.

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.

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. The Estonian Defence Forces support the mission with one staff officer.

Official website of the operation.

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.

The Estonian Defence Forces support the mission with one officer.

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.

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.

The Estonian Defence Forces support the mission with one 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.

Central African Republic

• EUFOR RCA 05.2014 – 08.2014

Mediterranean Sea

• NATO Active Endeavour / Ocean Shield 03.2013 – 06.2013 

• EUNAVFOR MED 08.2015– …

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

• Iraqi Freedom 06.2003–2009

• NTM-I 02.2005–11.2011

• Inherent Resolve 08.2016—…

• NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) 10.2018–…

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

• UNTSO 03.1997 – …

Lebanon

• UNIFIL 12.1996–05.1997 

• UNIFIL 05.2015– …

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