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Denmark to send F-16s, troops to combat IS in Iraq, Syria

Xinhua, March 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Danish government on Friday announced plans to send special forces and F-16 fighter jets into Iraq and Syria to join the fight against the Islamic State (IS).

"The government wants to intensify the fight against the terrorist organization IS... It is a serious decision to send Danish men and women on mission in the world's trouble spots," said Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen in a press statement.

"We must never give up the fight for peace and freedom," Rasmussen added.

The proposal to intensify Denmark's military contribution to the fight against IS from the middle of 2016 has received a wide cross-party support at a meeting with Danish foreign policy committee on Friday.

The contribution of Danish forces will consist of seven F-16 fighter jets, a transport aircraft and some 400 Danish soldiers including pilots and support personnel.

The Danish government will submit a proposal about the plan for the parliament's approval, according to the statement.

It is not the first time that Denmark has sent troops to fight the IS. Danish F-16 jets returned home for repairs and rest last October after taking part in the coalition's air strikes against IS in Iraq. Endit