Kiwi troops settling into their Iraqi base, started training local troops

Taji in relation to Baghdad; and the countries that border Iraq. Taji is very close to Baghdad, only about 30 kilometres away. Picture supplied by NZDF

The Defence Force says New Zealand soldiers have settled into their base in Taji, Iraq, and have started training local troops to fight the so-called Islamic State.

Taji is about 120km from Ramadi, a city Islamic State (Isis) overran this week.

The Defence Force (NZDF) said a joint New Zealand-Australia mission officially took over the training of Iraqi personnel at Taji Military Complex.

Previously, an American unit had this role, with troops from the US Army's 1st Infantry Division training four battalions of Iraqi security forces.

The Taji Military Complex near Baghdad, Iraq where the New Zealand and Australian training contingent are sited. Photo supplied by NZDF

Taji, northwest of Iraqi capital Baghdad, was a mostly Sunni rural area, Reuters reported.

Isis has tapped into Sunni dismay at the rising power of rival Shia groups since the fall of Saddam Hussein.

The Kiwi troops in Iraq had varying degrees of experience.

"Many of those in Taji have several deployments under their belts, but for some of the younger people this is their first," NZDF Land Component Commander Brigadier Peter Kelly said.

"They are all highly motivated by the challenge and the professional experience that they will have in the coming months."

The training would cover "basic operational skills such as planning, weapons training, basic manoeuvres and the profession of arms", the NZDF said in a statement today.

Mr Kelly said Australian and New Zealand troops would work together, building on a partnership fostered in East Timor, Afghanistan and the Solomon Islands.

In Ramadi, locals were already reporting allegations of Isis atrocities in the city.

"Everyone left was killed or is injured. Whoever didn't make it out was killed later on by Isis. They have a list of all the policemen and the soldiers, with addresses, and they were going to their homes to kill them," local police chief, Colonel Jabbar al-Assif told the Guardian.

"Most people in Ramadi want to fight but they don't have weapons. The government hasn't helped us," he said.

Meanwhile, Isis extremists have entered the Unesco (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage site of Palmyra, sparking fears of humanitarian and cultural atrocities.

"I further call on the international community to do everything in its power to protect the affected civilian population and safeguard the unique cultural heritage of Palmyra," said Irina Bokova, Unesco director-general.