News item | 29-09-2023 | 2:45 PM
The Netherlands will contribute more to the NATO mission in Iraq (NMI). It’s about a Force Commander with a staff capacity of approximately 15 soldiers. It leads and coordinates the deployment of various NATO allies and partners. In addition, the Netherlands is sending three transport helicopters with a detachment of approximately 120 people to Iraq.
Ministers Bruins Slot of Foreign Affairs, Ollongren of Defense and Schreinemacher of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation reported this in a letter to the House of Representatives.
The Dutch commander works together with various NATO partners and the Iraqi authorities to strengthen the Iraqi security sector. The helicopter detachment is used for, among other things, supplying units and moving advisors, units and equipment.
Missions
The NATO Mission in Iraq (NMI) operates at the request of Iraq and provides advice at institutional level. NMI contributes to strengthening the Iraqi security sector, so that the country can resist the terrorist organization ISIS and other threats. The mission also helps Iraq to successfully manage and future-proof the security sector. The Dutch commander plays an important role in this.
The three transport helicopters deployed by the Netherlands are initially available for the NATO mission. When not active for NMI, they can run commands for Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). This is a United States-led mission, created in response to the advance of ISIS in 2014.
Advice and capacity building
The government wants to shift the focus of Dutch security efforts in Iraq from stabilization to advice and capacity building. The additional Dutch contribution is in line with this.
Earlier this year, the government announced that it would strengthen NMI from January 2024 with an infantry company with support as Force Protection for the mission. This concerns a total of 145 soldiers. They will remain in Iraq at least until January 1, 2025. The Netherlands also provides advisors and staff officers to strengthen the Iraqi security sector. This ongoing deployment had already been extended until July 2025.