Two F-16 fighter jets from the Dutch Air Force land during a drill in Amsterdam, Jan 26, 2016

The Dutch government said Friday it plans to join the U.S.-led coalition targeting militant group in Syria with airstrikes.

The Dutch have for months been carrying out air raids in neighboring Iraq using four F-16 jets, but have balked at extending the mission to Syria.

But after requests from the United States and France, Rutte’s two-party coalition government on Friday decided to broaden the jets’ mandate to eastern Syria.

“We will have our F-16s be more efficiently deployed by also having them be active in the Syrian part of the conflict, particularly hitting, for example, training centers and other facilities which will replenish the capacity of ISIL to be active in the Iraqi side of the conflict,” Prime Minister Mark Rutte said, using an alternative acronym for the militant group.

Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said the decision means the coalition will “make more progress” against ISIS.

The Cabinet has sent a letter outlining Friday’s’ decision to Parliament where it will likely be discussed in coming days. A majority of Dutch legislators supports airstrikes in Syria.

Related articles across the web

• Dutch Report Says a New Investigation Will Be Launched Into 1995 Srebrenica Massacre in Bosnia
• UPDATE 1-Euronext halts trading in own shares pending verdict
• Turkey told illegal migration must be slashed
• Corrupt Cancer Society
• The downfall of Europe through ignorance
• Violent protests against new Dutch migrant centre shut down meeting
• EU leaders set June 30 deadline for new border force
• A united front against exorbitant ticket resale sites
• EU renegotiation: What Europe's leaders think of David Cameron's plans
• A Photo A Week Challenge: Religious Buildings