The Council of Ministers decided Friday the deployment of four F-16 fighter planes and a support detachment of about 95 Belgian soldiers in Jordan as part of the operation “Inherent Resolve“(OIR) of the international coalition led by the United States against the jihadist group Islamic State (IS), announced the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippe Goffin.
This decision follows the adoption by the House, on the night of Thursday to Friday, of a resolution in favor of Belgian operational engagement within the coalition against Daesh (the Arab acronym of IS) and after approval ofa motion for a resolution, supported by the Vlaams Belang in the Defense Committee on Jul 9n.
Missions over Iraq and north-eastern Syria
These four Belgian F-16s will be deployed for a period of one year starting next October to carry out missions over Iraq and north-eastern Syria.
“Belgium thus responds to a clear request for support from Iraq in the fight against Daesh. Belgium’s action also falls within the framework of resolution 2249 adopted in 2015 by the United Nations Security Council and which recalls the global threat posed by Daesh for peace and international security“, said Mr. Goffin (MR) in a statement.
Faced with renewed attacks by Daesh in the region, Belgium thus intends to assume its responsibilities in the fight against terrorism, “he added.
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