Estonian forces to replace Dutch forces protecting Erbil International Airport
Erbil International Airport. Photo: Erbil International Airport’s Facebook page
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The mission of the Dutch forces protecting Erbil International Airport ended on Monday, and Estonian forces will replace the Dutch forces, according to a statement issued by the Dutch Ministry of Defense.
The statement mentioned that the tasks of the Dutch forces stationed in the Kurdistan region of Iraq for two years to protect Erbil International Airport have ended, noting that the forces will return to their country somewhere this week.
The Dutch Defense Ministry added that the number of the Dutch forces present at Erbil International Airport is 125, and they were deployed to protect the airport in January 2021.
The statement also explained that Estonian forces will replace the Dutch forces to protect the airport.
A Dutch advisory team will remain in Erbil, where it will participate in unifying and reforming the Peshmerga forces, the statement illustrated.
The ministry indicated that the Dutch military unit was protecting Erbil International Airport along with the Kurdish and American allies, as well as providing the necessary protection to the advisors of the international coalition who were training the Peshmerga forces.
In January 2021, approximately 150 Dutch soldiers started protecting Erbil International Airport, in coordination with the security forces in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
The task of protecting Erbil International Airport was entrusted to the Dutch forces, as part of its duties within the framework of the international coalition to fight ISIS. Additionally, it assumed the task of training and reforming the Peshmerga forces.