The Netherlands is preparing to bolster its mission in Iraq by sending up to 150 additional troops to Iraqi Kurdistan, according to a vote by the Dutch Council of Ministers on Friday. The troops will be responsible for security at the Erbil airport alongside US forces. The airport is an important base for the US-led anti-Islamic State (IS) coalition.

The deployment comes as Washington continues to reduce its troops in the country and as Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has pledged to push back against foreign influence. International support is more welcome in the north, as the coalition largely operates out of Erbil. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has celebrated a new phase of assistance from foreign governments across joint projects and beefed up military infrastructure, including a 30-point reform project in collaboration with Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The US-led coalition recently shifted its mission in the country into an advisory role. The number of personnel will be reduced and a Military Advisor Group will be smaller in size but stocked with “expert specialized capabilities” to advise security staff and leaders.

KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has spoken positively about these states remaining in the country. In October, he welcomed Germany’s decision to extend its armed forces’ mandate in Iraq through 2022.