Minister Says Dutch F-16s Could Join Iraq Strikes at Weekend

Dutch F-16 fighter bombers could be in action over Iraq by this weekend in the campaign against the Islamic State group (IS), Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said on Friday.

"I would like to inform you that Dutch F-16s could commence operations this weekend in the fight against the IS," she said in a letter to the Dutch parliament.

"According to the latest planning, the Dutch F-16s could take part in supporting Iraqi and Kurdish ground forces in a close air-support role," she said. 

The F-16s will also be used for attacks on static IS targets at a later date, the minister added.

Three F-16s are already in the area, with five others to arrive at bases in Jordan.

The Netherlands said last month it would send six F-16s to take part in the campaign, plus two in reserve.

Apart from the F-16s, the Dutch will also deploy 250 military personnel and 130 trainers for the Iraqi military.

Aircraft from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joined U.S. warplanes in a new wave of bombing raids against IS group jihadists on Friday.

Coalition fighter jets and drones conducted six strikes in Syria on Thursday and Friday, hitting militant tanks, oil refineries and a training camp, the U.S. military said.

American aircraft also conducted three air raids in Iraq over the past 24 hours, including two northeast of Fallujah, Central Command said.

The Netherlands however said it would not join airstrikes in Syria without a U.N. mandate.