美国要求芬兰协助对抗伊斯兰国
The United States has asked Finland to assist in the fight against extremist group Islamic State (IS), the Finnish foreign ministry confirmed on Tuesday.
芬兰外交部周二证实，美国已要求芬兰协助对抗极端主义团体伊斯兰国。
Commenting on the request, Chairman of the Parliamentary Defense Committee Ilkka Kanerva told public broadcaster YLE that the U.S. request was "somewhat surprising."
Finland earlier announced its readiness to respond to a French request to send more Finnish soldiers to Mali so that French forces can operate elsewhere.
Kanerva said there is no reason to say no to the United States if the request concerns a crisis management operation. Finland cannot currently use military force abroad except for self defense reasons.
Yle quoted an official as saying the request had been transmitted via the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki. He said the request concerns Syria, Iraq and the coalition against IS.