Irish Troops In Afghanistan: A Complex History

Ireland has a long history of military neutrality and does not join military alliances or defence pacts, nor does it partake in international conflicts. However, Irish troops have been deployed to Afghanistan as part of NATO-led missions. Between 2001 and 2012, the Irish Defence Forces helped lead the mission's work to counter improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan. The Irish Army's Ranger Wing, an elite special forces unit, was deployed to Afghanistan as part of the United Nations stabilisation force. The Irish Defence Forces have a proud record of unbroken peacekeeping service since 1958 and have been involved in many UN peacekeeping missions.

Ireland's peacekeeping missions

Ireland has a long history of participation in peacekeeping missions, both civilian and military. Since 1958, Irish soldiers have served on peacekeeping missions worldwide, with a continuous presence on UN and UN-mandated peace support operations. The country has a longstanding policy of military neutrality, choosing not to join military alliances or defence pacts, or partake in international conflicts.

• Lebanon, as part of the UN force UNIFIL, starting in 1978.
• Cyprus, as UN peacekeepers in UNFICYP, starting in 1964.
• Sinai, between Egypt and Israel, as part of the UN force that supervised the ceasefire that ended the Yom Kippur War in 1973.
• Southern Lebanon, as part of the UN mandate force UNIFIL, from 1978 to 2001.
• Bosnia, as part of SFOR (1995-2005) and EUFOR (from 2005).
• Kosovo, as part of KFOR, from 1999 to 2010.
• East Timor, as part of UNAMET, INTERFET, and UNTAET, from 1999 to 2004.
• Liberia, as part of UNMIL, from 2003.
• Chad, as part of EUFOR Chad/CAR, from 2007.
• Syria, as part of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), from 2013.
• Mali, as part of MINUSMA.
• Golan Heights, Syria, Israel, Jordan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other locations.

Ireland has also supplied troops to the NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan, and Irish officers have served as unarmed UN observers in Afghanistan since the early 1990s.

The Irish Army's Ranger Wing

The Army Ranger Wing (ARW) is the special operations force of the Irish Defence Forces. Established in 1980, the ARW's primary role was counter-terrorism, but it has since evolved to encompass both special operations and counter-terrorism roles. The unit is based in the Curragh Camp, County Kildare, and serves at the behest of the Defence Forces and the Government of Ireland, reporting directly to the Chief of Staff.

The ARW recruits members from the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) from any of the three branches: the Army, Air Corps, or Naval Service. Candidates must be serving members, medically fit, and have attained the rank of at least 3-Star Private (or equivalent). There is no age limit to attempt selection, and selection has been open to females since 1984, although none have successfully completed the training.

The selection process is gruelling, with candidates undergoing a Special Operations Force Qualification (SOFQ) Course that lasts 34-40 weeks. The course is divided into five modules, with the first module assessing candidates' physical fitness, motivation, and suitability to progress. This includes a series of fitness assessments, map reading, individual navigation assessments, claustrophobia, water confidence, and psychometric testing. Candidates must also complete a 60km cross-country march carrying a 65lb combat load. Subsequent modules cover weapons and marksmanship, live-fire tactical training, special operations tactics, survival training, and more.

The ARW has a wide variety of roles, including offensive and defensive operations, and aid to the civil power (ATCP) roles. They are trained to carry out covert operations behind enemy lines, tackle plane hijackings and sieges, and conduct hostage rescue operations. The ARW has served in a number of international peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions, including in Somalia, East Timor, Liberia, Chad, and Mali.

The ARW is equipped with state-of-the-art communications equipment and has access to Air Corps aircraft and Naval Service vessels for deployment. The unit is on immediate call 24/7, 365 days a year, and is often called upon to aid in emergency situations, such as the evacuation of Irish citizens from Afghanistan in 2021.

The ARW is considered one of the best special operations units in the European Union, with members regarded as some of the fittest, most motivated, and most capable members of the Defence Forces.

Ireland's role in NATO

Ireland has been a partner of NATO since 1997 when it deployed personnel in support of the NATO-led peacekeeping operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 1999, Ireland joined NATO's Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, a multilateral forum for dialogue which brings together all Allies and partner countries in the Euro-Atlantic area.

Ireland's cooperation with NATO is mutually beneficial and includes building capabilities and interoperability, as well as support for NATO-led operations and missions. Ireland has contributed to the NATO-led Kosovo peacekeeping force (KFOR) since 1999 and supplied a limited number of troops to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan (2001-2014). Irish staff officers and non-commissioned officers also worked alongside Allied forces in Afghanistan from 2002 to 2016.

Ireland's participation in the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP) aims to enhance the ability of the Irish Defence Forces to take part in multinational peace-support operations, including those led by the UN and EU. The PARP helps Ireland improve its capabilities and develop interoperability with Allies and other partners.

Ireland's cooperation with NATO is governed by its Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme (IPCP), which is jointly agreed for a two-year period. Ireland also contributes actively to a variety of PfP activities in areas such as generic planning for peacekeeping and peace support, operational procedures, logistics and training.

While Ireland is not a member of NATO, it respects Ireland's longstanding policy of military neutrality, which allows for its armed forces to be used for peacekeeping and crisis management operations where there is a UN mandate, a government decision, and parliamentary approval. This is known as Ireland's triple-lock policy.

In February 2024, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, visited Ireland and emphasised that NATO fully respects Ireland's choice to maintain its neutrality. He also noted that Ireland has been a partner of NATO for 25 years and that Irish troops have served in NATO missions in Bosnia and Afghanistan, and continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Allied forces in the KFOR mission in Kosovo.

In February 2024, Ireland and NATO entered into a new agreement aimed at protecting subsea infrastructure and countering threats from aggressive nations such as Russia. The agreement will give Ireland greater access to NATO resources, including sensitive intelligence, but the Irish Government insists it is not a step towards full membership of the defence alliance. The agreement focuses on several areas of cooperation, including cybersecurity, protecting critical infrastructure, and enhancing maritime security. It also includes non-military areas of cooperation, such as building civilian resilience and addressing the impact of conflict on women and girls through the women, peace, and security agenda.

Ireland's policy of neutrality

Ireland has a longstanding policy of military neutrality, which has been an important aspect of its independent foreign policy. This policy is characterised by non-membership of military alliances or defence pacts, and non-participation in international conflicts. However, the nature of Irish neutrality has varied over time.

Ireland's neutrality is largely a result of its desire to assert an independent foreign policy from Britain and has protected it from wars. The country has a relatively small defence force compared to other neutral states, with approximately 10,500 personnel.

Ireland's neutrality has always had an element of flexibility. For example, during World War II, Ireland remained neutral but secretly supported the Allies in small ways. The country also allowed military aircraft of various nations to refuel at Shannon Airport.

Ireland's neutrality is generally a matter of government policy rather than a legal requirement. However, there is an exception in the Irish constitution, which states that the country shall not adopt a decision to establish a common defence with the European Union.

In recent years, Ireland's neutrality has been tested by the war in Ukraine and increasing involvement with NATO and the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). While Ireland has provided non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine, it has also been confronted with Russian military activity in its waters.

Ireland has participated in peacekeeping missions around the world since 1958 and is a member of the United Nations. It has also been involved in NATO-led initiatives, including the 2001-2021 Afghanistan War, where Irish troops helped to counter improvised explosive devices.

Despite these challenges and evolving global dynamics, Ireland remains committed to its policy of military neutrality, balancing it with a desire to actively support peace and security internationally.

Ireland's Defence Forces

Ireland has a longstanding policy of military neutrality and does not join military alliances or defence pacts, or take part in international conflicts. However, Irish troops have been involved in peacekeeping missions around the world since 1958, including in Afghanistan.

The Irish Defence Forces have a continuous presence in peacekeeping missions and participate in the European Union Battlegroups. The Defence Forces include the Army, the Air Corps, and the Naval Service. The Army has an active establishment of 7,520 personnel and a reserve establishment of 3,869. However, as of April 2023, it had only 6,322 active personnel and 1,382 reserve personnel. The roles of the Army include defending the Irish state against armed aggression, aiding the civil power, participating in multinational peace support, and carrying out other assigned duties.

The Irish Defence Forces have been involved in peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, Cyprus, the Sinai, Southern Lebanon, Liberia, Chad, Syria, and Afghanistan, among others. In Afghanistan, Irish troops served in NATO-led missions between 2001 and 2012, with a total of 226 Irish troops serving in the country over 15 years. They were involved in countering improvised explosive devices and served with the International Security Assistance Force. The last remaining Irish troops in Afghanistan returned home in 2016, marking the end of the Defence Force's participation in the country.

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