Defense Min: Decision on airstrikes in Syria to be made soon

Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert expects that the government will soon make a decision on whether the Netherlands will extend its participation in the fight against Islamic State to Syria. The Minister said this in television program Buitenhof on Sunday, the Telegraaf reports. "There are some aspects that play a role. For example, the general assembly of the United Nations is happening next Monday, I believe. Those are moments that matter for the exchange of further thoughts. So quite frankly I expect that it will not be long." Hennis said. This expectation is shared in the coalition. PvdA leader Diederik Samsom also stated last week that the decision to expand the anti-ISIS mission may be made soon. The Netherlands is currently only participating in airstrikes in Iraq, along with a coalition of other countries. A small majority in the Tweede Kamer, lower house of parliament, wants to expand the Dutch participation in the fight to Syria. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACgo2KEY0zk