A group of 30 Dutch marines and commandos are being brought back from Africa to the Netherlands early. They were due to take part in international military exercises in Mali towards the end of the month.

The Malian and United States authorities have cancelled the Flintlock military exercises 2012 for security reasons. The exercises were scheduled to involve 2,000 soldiers from 16 countries. The Dutch contingent has been preparing for the exercises in Senegal and Burkina Faso.

The Netherlands has been taking part since 2007 in the Flintlock exercises, which are held biannually and form part of US military exercises in Africa. The aim of the exercises is to train African soldiers and improve co-operation between countries, so the nations of Africa’s Sahel zone can better combat regional terrorism.

Last year opposition MPs tabled questions about the Dutch involvement in Flintlock. Defence Minister Hans Hillen wrote that the Dutch view them as a good opportunity “to train in climatically and geographically challenging circumstances in Africa”.

Because Flintlock sees Dutch soldiers taking part only in exercises, the government isn’t obliged to inform parliament as it would if personnel were deployed in an actual mission abroad. Opposition MPs have again tabled questions about the latest involvement in Flintlock.

(mw)

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