SINGAPORE : The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is deepening its international security engagements. Two construction engineering teams will be deployed to Bamiyan in Afghanistan this year, for about three months each.
They will support the multinational reconstruction effort there led by New Zealand’s Provincial Reconstruction Team.
A medical team will also head for Oruzgan province.
About 2,000 SAF personnel have served in international missions.
For example, a five—man dental team and five engineers were deployed to Bamiyan in Afghanistan in 2007.
Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said that such contributions have helped improve healthcare there.
Thus, two more construction engineering teams will be sent to assist in reconstruction efforts.
In addition, an SAF medical team comprising 20 nursing and medical officers will also be deployed to the provincial capital of Oruzgan.
This will consist of two rotations of medical teams for about three months each to the Field Hospital in Tarin Kowt, the provincial capital of Oruzgan.
They are expected to provide primary healthcare and ward capabilities to support the medical facility which is run by the Dutch and Australian forces in Oruzgan.
The Defence Minister said it is important Singaporeans understand the reason behind such deployments.
He pointed out that extremists have exploited an unstable Afghanistan as a safe haven to train terrorists and export violence.
Mr Teo said, "A number of JI (Jemaah Islamiyah) detainees who had planned attacks in Singapore had trained in Afghanistan; and more recently, a self—radicalised Singaporean was detained on the way to join the Taliban in Afghanistan. The international community recognises that the stabilisation and reconstruction of Afghanistan is critical in the global fight against terrorism."
So Singapore will contribute where it can — as such contributions enhance Singapore’s overall security.
Mr Teo said that such deployment will involve risks to the servicemen.
However, he assured that they will be well—prepared for their role.
The personnel will be briefed on the ground situation and will be trained to handle potential threats. — CNA/ms
