Six surgeons to Afghanistan

brussels - NATO strengthens the training mission in Afghanistan with some 3,000 men. The Netherlands does not deliver any additional soldiers, but six surgeons.

The Resolute Support mission now counts around 13. 000 man from 39 countries. The United States supplies roughly half of the extra troops. Many other countries will also send more in the coming months, says the general manager, Jens Stoltenberg.

They continue to train and advise the Afghan police and security forces. A combat mission is not dealt with.

The Netherlands supplies about one hundred soldiers to Resolute Support, but there is no room for it to increase. On request, a team of about six surgeons will be sent to the northern Afghan Mazar e Sharif.

The two-day NATO consultation in Brussels begins Wednesday. The Netherlands is represented by the new defense minister Ank Bijleveld.