Australia has finalized a deal with Baghdad to deploy 200 soldiers from its special forces to train and assist Iraqi security troops to fight against Islamic State jihadists, according to various news outlets.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced that she reached an agreement with Baghdad to move forward with the deployment of the Australian special forces.
Australia is part of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State (also known as ISIS and ISIL) in Iraq and Syria.
Like the U.S., Australia has said its troops will not participate in ground combat operations.
The special forces were waiting in the United Arab Emirates for Australia to obtain legal protection from the Iraqi government.
According to BBC, Australia has committed a total of 600 soldiers, including the special forces, to the military efforts against ISIS.
Australian military pilots have been conducting airstrikes against ISIS targets in northern Iraq since earlier this month.
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