TALLINN. July 14 (Interfax-AVN) - Estonian servicemen have assumed their duties in Iraq.
Estonia's ESTPLA-7 detachment was attached to the U.S. contingent and is guarding the Baghdad market.
The mission assigned to the squad includes foot and vehicle patrolling, checks and the protection of vital facilities. The Estonians were given four weeks to get adjusted to the new conditions. The situation in the area is unstable, a spokesman for the Estonian armed forces told Interfax on Sunday.
Initially, 32 Estonian servicemen were assigned an area north of Baghdad, but they eventually remained in Baghdad under the U.S. Central Command.
In addition to ESPLA-7, there are 11 Estonian logistics experts in Iraq who accompany and guard cargoes at the U.S. air base in Talili.
The Estonian servicemen arrived in Iraq on June 20 and are expected to stay there for six months.
The Estonian parliament gave its go-ahead to the Estonian contingent's presence in the region until December 31, 2003.