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Denmark to Reinforce Military Fight Against ISIS
(Defense News) Gerard O'Dwyer - Denmark has significantly strengthened its military commitment to fighting the Islamic State, following approval by the Danish parliament to send new forces to Iraq in the second half of 2016. The new force will consist of seven F-16 fighters, 400 military personnel and at least one C130J transport support aircraft. The ground-forces contingent will consist of 340 troops from infantry combat and specialized training units. The special forces unit will run to around 60. Taking the fight directly to ISIS currently ranks among Denmark's "highest ranking priorities," said Defense Minister Peter Christensen. Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said, "The Islamic State is a brutal and ruthless terrorist organization, and a powerful response from the outside world is needed to defeat it." Parliamentary backing was overwhelming for the government's force deployment as 90 MPs from mainstream parties voted for the plan, while 19 mainly leftist MPs opposed.