Netherlands back in Anti-ISIS coalition talks: Ministers

The Cabinet is in discussions with the United States about how the Netherlands can contribute to the international coalition in the fight against the terrorist movement Islamic State (IS). Ministers Timmermans (Foreign Affairs) and Hennis (Defense) wrote to the Second Chamber that all options are being considered. According to the Ministers, the United States welcomes the Netherlands' willingness to form part of the coalition. The Ministers also wrote that the nine countries that are now part of the coalition were approached first by the United States for practical reasons, NOS.nl reports. These countries are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. According to Timmermans and Hennis, the participation of other countries will be made more clear in the speech that US President Obama will give later today. They point out that it has been clear from the start that the United States wants a broad coalition, which includes more countries than those that are already involved. The Netherlands has already delivered thousands of bullet proof vests and helmets to Kurdish fighters in Iraq. The Netherlands will also contribute to the transport of weapons and ammunition to the Kurds.