Soldiers dressed like local Afghan citizens stand next to the road as a convoy of Dutch army vehicles drive past them near Amersfoort, The Netherlands, 15 April. The Dutch army is practicing the withdrawal of the troops frum Uruzgan. Photo by EPA/BGNES
The Netherlands has ended its military involvement in Afghanistan, after four years in which its 1,950 troops have won praise for their effectiveness.
Dutch military chief Gen Peter van Uhm said security had improved in Uruzgan province during the Dutch deployment.
But he acknowledged that "a lot still has to happen" after the withdrawal.
Nato has played down its significance, but analysts say this is a sensitive time for the alliance, with growing casualties and doubts about strategy.
"Dutch forces have served with distinction in Uruzgan, and we honour their sacrifice and that of their Afghan counterparts during the Netherlands' tenure in the province," said a statement from the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
The news about the termination of the Dutch troops mandate in Afghanistan comes as partner countries are reconsidering the situation and their strategy there.
Last week the United States announced plans for a troop surge in Kandahar to reverse the Taliban insurgency's momentum in the region.
Bulgaria plans to dispatch a 700-strong combat unit to boost its troops in Afghanistan as of 2013 at the latest.
At present, the Bulgarian contingents in Afghanistan, numbering 527 troops, are based in three locations – Kabul, Kandahar and Herat. Taliban rocket attacks on the Kandahar base, the outer perimeter of which is guarded by UK soldiers, are very common with up to 400 reported in 2009.
The country will send up to 70 more troops to the NATO-led force in Afghanistan in early September.