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Netherlands Deploys More Troops to NATO Mission in Iraq

Banners displaying the NATO logo are placed at the entrance of new NATO headquarters during the move to the new building, in Brussels, Belgium April 19, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
Banners displaying the NATO logo are placed at the entrance of new NATO headquarters during the move to the new building, in Brussels, Belgium April 19, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
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Netherlands Deploys More Troops to NATO Mission in Iraq

Banners displaying the NATO logo are placed at the entrance of new NATO headquarters during the move to the new building, in Brussels, Belgium April 19, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
Banners displaying the NATO logo are placed at the entrance of new NATO headquarters during the move to the new building, in Brussels, Belgium April 19, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

The Netherlands will deploy around another 120 soldiers and three Chinook transport helicopters to the ongoing NATO alliance mission in Iraq, the Dutch government said on Friday.

The deployment is in addition to the infantry unit of around 145 soldiers the Netherlands said in July they would send to Iraq from Jan. 1, 2024.

NATO says its non-combat mission in Iraq is aimed at strengthening Iraqi security institutions and forces so they can prevent the return of ISIS, fight terrorism and stabilize the country.

The new Dutch unit will primarily be used to supply food and equipment to troops and for transport of military staff and equipment.

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King Abdullah II Inaugurates 20th Parliament’s Session, Emphasizes Just Peace

The Jordanian monarch opens the first parliamentary session of the 20th House of Representatives. (Reuters)
The Jordanian monarch opens the first parliamentary session of the 20th House of Representatives. (Reuters)
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King Abdullah II Inaugurates 20th Parliament’s Session, Emphasizes Just Peace

The Jordanian monarch opens the first parliamentary session of the 20th House of Representatives. (Reuters)
The Jordanian monarch opens the first parliamentary session of the 20th House of Representatives. (Reuters)

Jordan’s King Abdullah II affirmed that the country’s future “will not be subject to policies that do not align with its interests or deviate from its principles,” describing Jordan as “a nation with a steadfast identity, committed to preserving its Hashemite heritage and Arab and human values.”
The king made these remarks on Monday during the opening of the first parliamentary session of the 20th House of Representatives, following elections held on September 10.
King Abdullah emphasized that a just and honorable peace is “the only path to rectifying the historical injustice against the Palestinian people.”
He reiterated Jordan’s unwavering stance on restoring Palestinians’ full rights and ensuring security for all, despite the obstacles posed by “extremists who oppose peace”—a pointed reference to the hardline policies of the Israeli government.
The king declared that Jordan “stands firmly against aggression in Gaza and Israeli violations in the West Bank,” and is actively engaged in Arab and international efforts to halt the war. He highlighted his country’s significant humanitarian role, noting that Jordanians “were the first to deliver aid by air and land to the people of Gaza, and we will continue to support them, now and in the future.”
In a single round of voting, former Speaker Ahmed Al-Safadi secured the presidency of the House of Representatives, garnering 98 votes out of 137 attendees. His victory was achieved through a coalition of parliamentary blocs, including Mithaq, Irada, National Islamic, Azm, and Taqaddum, marking a parliamentary precedent with significant party bloc influence.
Out of the 20th House of Representatives’ 116 party-affiliated deputies—distributed across 12 parties—86% of the total seats are now held by party members. This unprecedented figure follows reforms in the electoral law, which reserved 41 seats for national party lists while the remaining 97 were contested in local constituencies.
The new parliament is expected to address significant legislative and political challenges, including debating the government’s policy statement, discussing the 2025 general budget, and amending controversial laws such as local governance, labor, and social security.
Observers anticipate heated parliamentary sessions, particularly with the presence of the Islamic Action Front (IAF) bloc, which secured over half a million votes in the elections. The party’s influence is expected to pressure the government on key issues, including the Palestinian cause, protecting Jordan from the risks posed by Israeli extremism, and potentially repealing the Jordan-Israel peace treaty.