France pulls out military forces in Iraq amid Coronavirus demands

France is pulling out its military forces from Iraq as French forces are increasingly called upon to help fight coronavirus at home.

chief of staff of French armed forces said in a statement Wednesday night that France is suspending its anti-terrorism training operations in Iraq and also bringing home its Iraq-based troops involved in U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State group.

France, which has suffered repeated attacks on its soil by Islamic State extremists, is maintaining military operations in Kuwait and Qatar, and air force missions over Syria.

anuncement came just after French President Emmanuel Macron launched a special military operation to support efforts to treat people infected with new virus.

France plans to deploy helicopter carriers in its overseas territories, and has transported sick on military planes and an aircraft carrier in Mediterranean. French military also built a field hospital in eastern city of Mulhouse, located in region of France hardest-hit by outbreak.

France h almost 26,000 confirmed cases as of Wednesday and fifth-largest number of virus-related deaths in world at more than 1,300.