Czechs to train Iraqi helicopter pilots

The Czech defence ministry said Wednesday it would train 31 transport helicopter pilots from Iraq, whose forces are fighting Islamist militants in the north.

The pilots will receive a year of training starting later this year or early 2015 in the central city of Pardubice, the ministry said in a statement.

The international community is ramping up efforts to confront the jihadist Islamic State group that has taken control of a swath of Syria and Iraq and declared the establishment of an Islamic caliphate, amid mass executions and attacks on religious and ethnic minorities.

The Czech Republic had already agreed to sell 15 Czech-made L-159 training and combat planes to Iraq for around 27 million euros ($35 million).

It will also supply Iraq's Kurds with 1.5 million euros in ammunition in their battle against the Islamist militants.

The first batch of ammunition will go out on Thursday, the ministry said.