Car bomb 'reminder' for Kiwi soldiers fighting in Iraq

Defence Force Chief Lieutenant General Tim Keating. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The Defence Force chief has downplayed a car bomb attack which killed three people near the New Zealand base on the first day of its deployment in Iraq, saying the violence simply reinforced "what we're here for".

The attack at an outdoor marketplace in Taji, one of a series of bombings linked to the Islamic State (Isis) in and around Baghdad on Sunday, coincided with the official start of New Zealand's non-combat mission at the military base.

Lieutenant-General Tim Keating said any bombing was of concern, but he also emphasised the improvised attacks generally targeted civilians and this one was not close enough to be dangerous to Kiwi troops.

He said the attacks would remind the soldiers of the importance of their mission.

"I think it gives us our focus," he said. "There are improvised explosive devices and other attacks occurring daily throughout Iraq and in the vicinity of Baghdad and that's what we're there for."

Prime Minister John Key said yesterday New Zealand soldiers were given the best security possible, "but I can't say it's an environment that doesn't have risks".

Lieutenant-General Keating said there were "layers of security" at the facility including technology to observe beyond the wire. The New Zealand contingent could expect very basic living quarters at Taji. The base once hosted thousands of American soldiers and had fast food outlets. It was now home to 175 United States troops and was a more stripped-back facility.