Is there a plan in place to evacuate our troops in the Middle East if the war escalates – Naupoto

Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua says Fijian troops are safe and contingency plans are in place if the war Hamas and Israel war escalates after FijiFirst MP and former RFMF Commander Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto asked the government if there is a plan in place for our troops stationed in the Middle East to be evacuated to safety.

Naupoto says he has been tracking the war in recent days, and he is awaiting some assurance from the government as to what will happen to our troops who are there if things really go bad.

He says Fiji has troops near the Gaza border, Egypt, Golan Heights, Syria and Iraq.

He adds Australia is deploying some military planes to some countries in the Middle East as a standby, and it would be good for Fiji if they have discussions with Australia to pull our troops out if the war escalates.

Meanwhile, Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua says he has already met with the RFMF Commander, and he would like to assure everyone that our troops that are in Lebanon, Syria, Jerusalem, Iraq and Sinai are safe.

He says there is a heightened level of alert and the soldiers are ready.

Tikoduadua says the contingencies are in place in the event this conflict escalates, and they are monitoring it very closely in liaison with the RFMF and the ground commanders leading our troops in the United Nations.