Dutch Army Kills 18 Rebels In Afghanistan

At least 18 enemy combatants have been killed during a special operation by Dutch special forces in the Afghan province of Uruzgan, the commander of the Dutch armed forces general Dick Berlijn told reporters. In the last ten days the Dutch commandos, working with US troops, carried out an offensive operation after a “clear threat” against the Dutch army bases near Tarin Kowt and Deh Rawod in Uruzgan, Berlijn said.There were no Dutch casualties. The Dutch troops have been involved in several clashes in recent months while serving in the south-eastern province of Uruzgan, where a 400 to 500 strong Dutch contingent is deployed. In all there are around 1,000 Dutch soldiers in Afghanistan. The planned arrival of new troops that would bring the total to 1,400 in August as part of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in Afghanistan.