On Thursday, 750 Dutch soldiers were awarded the Commemorative Medal for International Missions (HIM) in Apeldoorn for their service in various foreign missions. Among the decorated soldiers were those who had served in Kurdistan, where the Netherlands has deployed troops for many years as part of international missions.

The medals were presented by Lieutenant General Ludy Schmidt, the Acting Commander of the Dutch Armed Forces. In his speech, he praised the dedication of the soldiers, who served in missions such as the enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania, and operations in Bosnia, Iraq, Kurdistan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Bahrain, Qatar, and the Red Sea.

“Today, I had the honor of receiving a token of appreciation for my six-month tour in the Kurdish Region of Iraq. Together with a lot of colleagues from all kinds of units serving in all kinds of missions, we listened to the words of the second in command of our joint forces thanking us for our service. I had a great time in Kurdistan and would do it again,” former military advisor for the Dutch Consulate General in Erbil Colonel Walter van Bijlevelt told Kurdistan Chronicle.

Dutch troops have played a crucial role in training and supporting local security forces in Kurdistan, particularly in the fight against ISIS.

Moreover, at the request of the Kurdish government, the Netherlands has been contributing since 2019 – alongside the UK, the United States, Italy, France, and Germany – to the institutional reform of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs in the Kurdistan Region.

Dutch Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans visited the Kurdistan Region on December 23.

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“I think it’s important to stay active here in the Kurdistan Region. We have been here for such a long time, we have a strong network and a deep understanding of the dynamics, which are quite complicated,” Minister Brekelmans told Kurdistan Chronicle during his visit.

Since the rise of ISIS, the Netherlands has supported the Kurdish peshmerga and other security forces through various missions. The presence of Dutch troops has contributed to the stabilization of the region and the further professionalization of local forces.

In 2023, the Dutch military deployed 145 soldiers to Baghdad for the NATO mission and took over its command in May 2023. Meanwhile, the 120 Dutch troops previously stationed in Erbil have left, leaving only five advisors in the Kurdistan Region.

In addition to the soldiers, their families and loved ones were also recognized for their support. As a token of appreciation, they received a carnation-shaped pin, while children were awarded a special children’s medal.

The HIM medal ceremony highlights not only the commitment and dedication of Dutch troops in foreign missions, but also the importance of the Netherlands’ long-term engagement in the stability and security of Kurdistan and other conflict zones.