The Netherlands is sending six Apache helicopters to Iraq to protect its troops there ahead of a decision on whether to stay beyond a July deadline, the defence ministry said on Friday.
The helicopters, along with 100 support personnel, will stay in Iraq "as long as necessary" and their deployment is not an indication of whether the mission would be extended beyond the deadline of July 15, a ministry spokesman said.
"These Apaches will serve as eyes and ears of Dutch commanders on the ground to help deal with the growing number of mortar and rocket-propelled grenade attacks ahead of the handover of power," the spokesman said. The helicopters would be used only for surveillance.
The Dutch, a key European supporter of the United States in Iraq, have grown concerned about the safety of their 1,263 troops in Iraq following the death of their first soldier in a grenade attack this month and the pullout of Spanish soldiers.
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