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| Afghanistan | |
| Dutch Commandos Kill 18 in Afghanistan | |
| 2006-07-21 | |
| THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- Dutch commandos killed 18 enemy fighters who set up positions in rugged hills overlooking a Dutch camp in southern Afghanistan, the country's military chief said Friday. There were no Dutch casualties during a 10-day mission. "If we had not done something then our soldiers could have come under fire and the construction of our camp could have been hindered," Gen. Dick Berlijn, commander of the Dutch armed forces, told reporters in The Hague. Berlijn said the Taliban fighters were massing on terrain on both sides of the Baluchi Valley, about 6 miles north of where Dutch troops are building Camp Holland, which will be their base for a reconstruction mission due to start Aug. 1. "The Baluchi Valley is a strategic position and in the end we decided that if we did not do something about it, it would be a major threat for us," he said.
The Dutch government deliberated for months before finally deciding to send 1,400 soldiers to take part in NATO missions in Afghanistan. While the government insisted the deployment was to rebuild the shattered Uruzgan province, opponents argued that reconstruction is impossible in what is essentially still a war zone. Speaking at a briefing on Dutch operations in Afghanistan, Berlijn said that his country already has more than 1,500 troops in the country and said that number could rise to around 2,000 before settling back to the 1,400-strong force approved by parliament. In recent months, Dutch troops have killed dozens of Taliban and other enemy fighters without suffering any fatalities. | |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #15 I still think the Dutch has been recruiting Afrikaners on the sly. |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2006-07-21 21:59 |
| #14 If Europe can be saved, it will be the forces that have been blooded in Afghanistan and Iraq that will lead the way. Warriors love a fight, good on the Dutch! -M |
| Posted by: Manolo 2006-07-21 19:33 |
| #13 The Dutch soldiers are not holding their hands up in the air, snivelling and saying its nothing to do with us this time, then. Not, that it was the poor fuckers fault who were outnumbered on the ground you understand, but I'd rather have a gun than a dutch "peacekeeper" protecting me. |
| Posted by: pihkalbadger 2006-07-21 19:16 |
| #12 Even Arab countries are sending commandos to Afghanistan. At this time, it's the best training ground in the world. |
| Posted by: ed 2006-07-21 17:46 |
| #11 "It's gotta be the gouda!"(tm) |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-07-21 17:33 |
| #10 You would be surprised how many European and Arab countries send their "commandos" to Afghanistan. |
| Posted by: Armylife 2006-07-21 17:14 |
| #9 Whack 'em, stack 'em, send them home in a pigskin suitcase. Works for me. Go Nederlanders! |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2006-07-21 15:52 |
| #8 The Dutch - the adults of Europe. (they've got some company, but across the board they are remarkably less misguided) Afghanistan is a place where even Europeans are allowing their armed forces to fight (the French have been collecting a few scalps, for a while). I fear it's still an SF phenomenon - Euro armies are still generally under-funded and have paltry overall capabilities. But it's a start. |
| Posted by: Verlaine in Iraq 2006-07-21 14:51 |
| #7 John Beluchi would be proud! |
| Posted by: Inspector Clueso 2006-07-21 14:42 |
| #6 ------ RANTBURG R&R 3 DAY COUPON ------ This coupon is good for cover charge and drinks at both De Bananenbar (Banana Bar) and die Casa Rosso, Amsterdam. Holders must show proof of Texel Commando School completion or Afghanistan deployment orders. Coupon expires Feb 2069. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2006-07-21 13:43 |
| #5 Thank you, Netherlands. 18 islamscumbags in Hell with their demon-master allan. |
| Posted by: anymouse 2006-07-21 13:32 |
| #4 The Dutch do produce some kick-ass commandos. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2006-07-21 13:32 |
| #3 While the government insisted the deployment was to rebuild the shattered Uruzgan province, opponents argued that reconstruction is impossible in what is essentially still a war zone. Good thinking, the enemy has to be killed before you can "rebuild," (what?). Holland and Denmark are tops in dhimmiland. |
| Posted by: SamAdamsky 2006-07-21 13:29 |
| #2 Well done, and there's no need to apologize for killing these barbarians. |
| Posted by: Apostate 2006-07-21 13:20 |
| #1 Thank you Holland. Thank you NATO. We need to note that they are punching above their weight here. |
| Posted by: JAB 2006-07-21 13:16 |