Belgium ready to help in fight against ISIS

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Defence & Security News - Belgium
 
 
Thursday, September 18, 2014 06:57 PM
 
Belgium ready to contribute in fight against ISIS
Didier Reynders, outgoing Belgian Foreign Minister, and Pieter De Crem, Belgian Minister of Defence, presented on Thursday afternoon plans for a possible Belgian participation in the international intervention that is currently taking place in Iraq.
     
Didier Reynders, outgoing Belgian Foreign Minister, and Pieter De Crem, Belgian Minister of Defence, presented on Thursday afternoon plans for a possible Belgian participation in the international intervention that is currently taking place in Iraq.
Belgium's third option could aim to send 35 SF soldiers to train and advise Iraqi and Kurdish troops (Pic. : Belgian Special Forces Group performing military drills)
     
No formal request has been sent to Belgium yet, and the two ministers did not give many details about a possible Belgian intervention. Didier Reynders placed particular emphasis on the need to put this mission under UN mandate and to be not only military but also political and humanitarian. For his part, Pieter de Crem presented three plans the Belgian defense will implement to contribute in the fight against IS.

The foreground consists in sending Belgian F-16s in Iraq. "The Defense could provide six Belgian F-16s, with support on the ground, for a limited time. The Belgian Defense can perform four operations a day after the deployment order has been given" said De Crem.

The second scenario involves the departure of two C-130s operated by thirty soldiers, for the transport of people and equipment.

The third plan aims to send 35 soldiers from the Special Forces Group who may have to train and advise Iraqi and Kurdish troops.

De Crem also added that these three options could be combined. Finally, the Minister assessed the cost of sending six F-16s, two C-130s and 35 SF soldiers during a month to a total amount of € 5.68 million ($7.3 million).