Illustrative image: ESSAM AL-SUDANI/AFP/Getty Images
Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Anders Samuelsen stated that Denmark would withdraw its special forces participating in the operation against ISIS in Iraq as the terrorist group is almost defeated, Saudi newspaper Arab News reported on May 17.
“We have now reached a point where we can begin withdrawing our special forces because (IS) no longer has control over large areas in Iraq,” Samuelsen said.
Samuelsen stressed that “the fight against IS isn’t over yet” and Denmark would continue its contribution providing a radar facility and ground staff.
Danish Minister of Defense Claus Hjort Frederiksen underlined that Iraq is “ready to stand on their own two feet.”
A NATO member, Denmark, deployed up to 60 special forces troops in Iraq in 2016 to train and advise Iraqi soldiers. Denmark took part in operations on the Iraqi-Syrian border, providing intelligence and ad hoc air support.
At present, Denmark also has about 180 troops at the Al-Asad air base near Baghdad, which is one of the Denmark forces location’s points.
