The largest security operation in the history of the Netherlands to secure the NATO summit
This week in The Hague, the largest NATO summit in terms of security measures in the history of the Netherlands is being held, with the participation of 45 countries and more than 9,000 participants, including 2,000 journalists. The country is experiencing an unprecedented state of alert with the deployment of 27,000 police officers and 10,000 military personnel, in addition to 9,000 additional border police shifts, as part of the security operation named "Orange Shield."
The government has asked residents in the Randstad area, the busy coastal strip between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, to work from home all week to avoid congestion caused by the closure of highways. Restrictions have also been imposed on the airspace and waters surrounding The Hague, and one runway at Schiphol Airport has been closed to commercial flights to accommodate official delegations.
The cost of the security operation reached 183 million euros, which is double the initial estimates when The Hague was announced as the host city for the summit a year ago, coinciding with the appointment of Mark Rutte as the new Secretary General of NATO. The National Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg, acknowledged that Dutch security capabilities have reached their limit, stating that if 50 additional figures were invited, they would have to seek international support.
The main security challenges involve protecting 150 senior international officials, led by U.S. President Donald Trump, who is expected to arrive on Tuesday evening to participate in an official dinner hosted by King Willem-Alexander at the Paleis ten Bosch, with the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump's armored vehicle known as "The Beast" arrived at Schiphol Airport on Saturday, a strong indication of his presence. He is expected to stay at the Huis ter Duin hotel in Noordwijk, where former US President Barack Obama stayed during the 2014 summit. The beach surrounding the hotel has been closed and metal fences have been erected, and the Bella Vista amusement wheel cars have been dismantled for security reasons.
Albersberg pointed out that eliminating all risks is impossible without completely closing the country, which is unrealistic. He emphasized that risk management and training to face the worst-case scenarios are crucial. Over the weekend, eight people from the 'sovereign citizens' group were arrested on suspicion of planning a violent attack. This group rejects the authority of the Dutch state and is known for its extreme views, and the police found weapons and explosives in their homes.
Despite the absence of a "major" threat, authorities are monitoring all possibilities, from Russian cyberattacks to international terrorism and local militias. Alberspech noted that the early announcement of the summit gave potential attackers enough time to prepare. The restrictions included the closure of the A44 highway between Wassenaar and Leiden, the N44 road from The Hague to Wassenaar, and a section of the A5 road near Schiphol Airport. The vital Johan de Wittlaan road has also been closed since April to establish a temporary complex for participants.
The Dutch Navy is patrolling the coasts of Scheveningen and Noordwijk, while F-35 fighter jets, helicopters, and air defenses monitor the skies. Dozens of drones have been seized in recent days due to a flight ban over an area extending 16 kilometers around The Hague. Residents of the closed area near the World Forum have been advised to redirect their mail and collect newspapers from external points, as only residents are allowed to enter.
A secure computer network has been built using 30,000 meters of cables due to concerns about cyber intrusions. Authorities are also preparing to combat misinformation, recalling what happened during the 2023 summit in Lithuania when groups linked to Russia spread false data.
The Hague has already witnessed a demonstration that included 5,000 people on Sunday, and about 15 more protests are expected to be organized during the summit, including the closure of the A12 road by the environmental organization Extinction Rebellion. Although authorities have confirmed respect for the right to protest, the space allocated for the protest near the summit site can only accommodate more than 100 people.