SAF's Participation in the Counter-ISIS Coalition

The threat of terrorism is transnational and extends beyond the confines of national borders. Terrorist groups that are based in countries far away from Singapore can still pose a direct threat to Singapore and Singaporeans. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen first announced in November 2014 that the SAF would be supporting the multinational coalition against the extremist threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

A summary of the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) deployments are as follows:

i. Since December 2014, SAF liaison officers have been deployed to the United States Central Command Headquarters.

ii. Since January 2015, Intelligence Fusion Officers have been deployed.

iii. Since September 2015, an Imagery Analysis Team has been deployed to the Combined Joint Task Force Headquarters in Kuwait.

iv. Since May 2015, an RSAF KC-135R tanker has been deployed to support air-to-air refuelling operations.These contributions have met specific needs of the multinational coalition effectively. Through these contributions, the SAF personnel involved have also gained valuable operational expertise.

From 2017 onwards, the SAF will increase its contribution to the multinational coalition by deploying a medical support team to Iraq. This deployment will be similar to previous SAF medical deployments during Operation Blue Ridge in Afghanistan. The SAF's medical team will augment the coalition's capacity to provide medical services to members of the coalition forces as well as the local Iraqi population. The SAF will first send a Needs Assessment and Survey Team to ascertain specific needs, before determining the composition and size of the medical support team. The SAF will do everything necessary to ensure the safety of its personnel, and will ensure that all deployed personnel receive rigorous training to prepare them for any contingencies.

Singapore takes our international responsibilities and commitments seriously. For example, the SAF has participated in various multinational operations, such as the reconstruction and stabilisation efforts in Afghanistan under Operation Blue Ridge from 2007 to 2013. The SAF's efforts have helped to rebuild damaged areas and restore stability, returning normalcy to areas that had been ravaged by conflict.The multinational coalition has made good progress in undermining ISIS and its networks in the Middle East. These efforts must continue. By contributing to the multinational effort to undermine and destroy ISIS at its source, we are contributing directly to our safety.