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Current missions

The biggest deployment currently underway is the one in Mali in West Africa. The Netherlands armed forces are also taking part in several other major and minor missions throughout the world.

Iraq (military trainers)

By deploying military trainers, the Netherlands, in concert with a number of other countries led by the United States, is helping to break the fighting power of the ISIS terrorist organisation. Click on the links to read about the mission in Iraq.

Afghanistan (Resolute Support)

Since 2002, Dutch military personnel have assisted in bringing security to Afghanistan. They were mainly active in the province of Uruzgan, later followed by a deployment to Kunduz province. Today 160 Dutch military personnel take part in the NATO mission Resolute Support, aimed at further developing the security apparatus, the army and the police in Afghanistan. The Netherlands will be contributing to this mission until September 2021.

Somalia (Atalanta, VPD)

Click on the links to read about the counterpiracy missions around the Horn of Africa near to Somalia.

Lithuania (eFP)

Defence is contributing to the enhanced Forward Presence, the reinforced NATO military presence in Lithuania. 270 Dutch military personnel are posted to a multinational battlegroup. The battalion that the Netherlands is part of is under German command and is stationed in Rukla. NATO decided to send extra military personnel to the eastern European border in response to the alarming actions by Russia. It is one of the ‘reassurance measures’ in place for the eastern European Allies.

Bahrein - Combined Maritime Forces

A total of 25 countries take part in the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) mission. CMF operates in the waters around the Arabian Peninsula. CMF:

  •  combats extremism and terrorism;
  • combats piracy, smuggling and human trafficking;
  • improves maritime security and stability in the region in cooperation with local and other partners.

Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH)

The Royal Netherlands Navy is making a permanent contribution to the European-led Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH) mission in the form of two staff officers who are involved in intelligence and strategic communication.

The Netherlands is participating in the EMASOH mission for the international right of transit passage and is thereby supporting the international rule of law.

Gaza Strip - EU BAM and USSC

The European Union Border Assistance Mission (EU BAM) is a European Union mission that assists in border control at the Rafah border-crossing point in the Gaza Strip.

In the same area, the Netherlands also contributes to the United States Security Coordinator (USSC) mission, which is based in Ramallah on the West Bank. The programme seeks to improve the operation of the security services and the Presidential Guard of the Palestinian Authority.

Israel, Syria (UNDOF)

The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). The UNDOF is a peace operation on the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria. The Netherlands has deployed 2 military personnel to this mission.

Kosovo - EULEX

EULEX is a European Union mission which promotes stability in Kosovo by supporting the government apparatus, the police force, the judiciary and the customs service. A total of 2.000 personnel from various EU countries are taking part in the mission. The Netherlands has some 15 military personnel, most of them from the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, stationed in Kosovo for EULEX. Civilian police personnel and specialists from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice and Security are also part of the Dutch contribution.

Lebanon, Syria and Israel - UNTSO

The United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) monitors whether the agreed demarcation lines between Lebanon, Syria and Israel are being observed. UNTSO operates in the same area as UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force) and, in southern Lebanon, as UNIFIL (United Nations International Force In Lebanon). The Netherlands supplies 12 military personnel for participation in this mission.

Middle-East (FSE Mirage)

The Netherlands Defence organisation has a strategic position in the Middle East in the form of the Forward Support Element Mirage. The 4-strong detachment provides, among other services, (logistic) support to marines security teams assigned to the counter-piracy mission off the Somali coast.

Libya (EUBAM)

The Netherlands will deploy one member of military personnel to take part in the EU Integrated Border Assistance Mission Libya (EUBAM). This is an EU civilian mission, which will operate from the neighbouring country of Tunisia. EUBAM Libya supports the Libyan authorities in strengthening the law enforcement chain, border control and in counteracting (organised) crime and terrorism.

Through collaboration with the EU navy mission EUNAVFOR MED (Operation Sophia), EUBAM will also contribute to reinforcing the Libyan coastguard. In addition, EUBAM Libya is working with the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). This UN mission is tasked with supporting and strengthening the country, after it had been severely weakened by the ravages of the recent civil war.

Mali (EUTM, EUCAP Sahel and MINUSMA)

The Netherlands is currently contributing 5 military personnel to the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali). The objective of the mission is to train the Malian armed forces and advise on how to make the G5 Sahel joint force operational. The G5 Sahel comprises Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger and Chad. In addition, the Netherlands is supplying a maximum of 15 personnel to the EU civilian missions in the Sahel (EUCAP Sahel). Those missions are aimed at strengthening the internal security forces of Mali and Niger. Finally, the Netherlands is deploying a maximum of 10 police and Royal Netherlands Marechaussee personnel, as well as 2 to 3 military staff officers, to MINUSMA, the UN mission in Mali.

Somalia (EUTM)

The Netherlands is also taking part in the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) in Somalia. Dutch personnel assist in the training programme for Somali security troops, in order to strengthen the country’s new government (the Somali National Government). Next to the Netherlands, there are 13 other European countries taking part in the mission. Dutch personnel operate from the Ugandan capital city of Kampala and the Bihanga Training Camp in western Uganda.