As a part of its international peacekeeping involvement Bulgaria sent a 150-person non-combat unit to Iraq. The mission of the Bulgarians involves security provision for Ashraf refugee camp, Reuters news agency reported.

The agency reminds its readers Bulgaria is among the new NATO members. The country sends 120 soldiers and 34 people aid staff to guard Ashraf, a refugee camp located 70 km north of Baghdad.

On March 30 the first troops departed for Bulgaria's new mission. The soldiers will remain in Iraq for one year.

In December, Bulgaria's newly elected socialist-led government withdrew 450 soldiers from Bulgaria's previous peacekeeping operation in Iraq. The withdrawal of troops featured among the Bulgarian Socialist Party's (BSP) election promises.

During the previous missions 13 soldiers and six civilians lost their lives, Reuters reported. These developments led to public opposition to Bulgaria's military involvement in Iraq.

Though Bulgaria is considered US ally, nearly two thirds of the country's population oppose participation in foreign military operations, Reuters reported.