If new Afghan mission approved, first soldiers to leave in March

The government plans to send the first police trainers to Afghanistan within the next two months, according to cabinet documents replying to MPs questions.


If parliament backs the plan, the first group of 90 officials will leave in mid March to prepare for the main mission. Some 60 of them will go to Kunduz, where the mission will be based, and the rest to a military base where four Dutch F-16s will be stationed.
The mission would be a full strength – 545 people – by May.
It is still extremely unclear whether a majority of MPs will back the project. On Monday, MPs will quiz military officials and other experts about the plans. The debate with ministers will take place on January 27.

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