Netherlands suspends mission in Iraq over security threats
Representational photo.
Baghdad (IraqiNews) The authorities of Netherlands announced, on Wednesday, suspending its mission in Iraq over security threats.
Dutch news agency ANP reported, today, that the Dutch government has suspended a mission in Iraq that provides assistance to local authorities due to a security threat. It added that the threats are directed toward the Dutch personnel who train Iraqi forces in Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan region, along with other foreign troops, including Germany.
Meanwhile, a number of news outlets reported that the German government earlier announced halting its mission in Iraq amid heightening tensions in the region. However, Defense Ministry Media Director Major General Tahseen al-Khafaji said in a brief statement that Germany has not suspended training and is continuing to work with the Ministry of Defense.
According to the Dutch Ministry of Defense website, the Netherlands is contributing to the international fight against the Islamic State group by providing military as well as political and humanitarian support. Dutch military personnel support Iraqi forces on the ground with military training and advice.
Dutch military instructors have already trained a total of over 100,000 members of the Iraqi armed forces and Kurdish armed forces (Peshmerga). Since these forces have achieved the basic level required, the anti-ISIS coalition is now providing a higher level of training.