About 140 members of the Ground Self-Defense Force departed Japan on Saturday on their way to southern Iraq, where they will join other Japanese troops on a humanitarian mission to help rebuild the war-torn country.

The contingent, led by Col. Koichiro Bansho, left from New Chitose Airport in Chitose, Hokkaido, aboard a government plane bound for Kuwait. The troops will mainly be responsible for supplying potable water and medical services in the Iraqi city of Samawah.

The plane is also carrying medical equipment worth 36 million yen which will be used for maternal and newborn care at a hospital in the city, government officials said.