Some Dutch soldiers serving with UN peacekeepers in Mali are unable to go on patrol because of a shortage of equipment, the AD said on Tuesday.

The shortages affect soldiers who have arrived relatively recently in the troubled west African country. In particular, there are not enough night vision binoculars and equipment to jam roadside bombs, the AD said. There is also a shortage of new, lighter bullet-proof vests.

The AD sent a journalist to spend the Christmas break with Dutch soldiers in Mali and said the shortage of equipment is leading to major frustration among some soldiers.

The 11th air assault brigade has recently taken over the role in Mali done previously by special forces. Now there are more people in the camp, ‘we have to make choices and can deliver less than we would like to,’ commander Ron Sensen told the paper.

The army hopes to have the problem solved by mid January, the AD said.