Greenland must be defended militarily, without awaiting explicit clearance from Copenhagen. This is a standing order for the Danish soldiers stationed on the island. If the US attacks, the Danes are to launch a counterattack.
This has been reported by Berlingske, highlighting the rules in place for Danish soldiers in Greenland. According to a directive issued in 1952, which remains in effect, they must “engage in combat without waiting for or seeking orders” if they are attacked.
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The directive was issued in the aftermath of Nazi Germany’s attack on Denmark twelve years earlier, in 1952. During the assault, Danish communications broke down and many units didn’t know their orders as the German troops rapidly advanced through the country.
To avoid such a situation in the future, a standing order was given that soldiers have a duty to counterattack any enemy.
The US as a Trojan Horse
The reason the Danish newspaper is drawing attention to these directives for soldiers in Greenland is due to the US escalating its military threats against the nation. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to take control of the island, which has been Scandinavian for over a thousand years.
Kenneth Öhlenschläger Buhl, a navy captain and researcher at the Danish Defence College, told the news agency Ritzau that the standing order is “unambiguous” and also applies in the event of an American attack.
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The US military does have access to Greenland and maintains a base there, but their activities, exercises, and so forth must always be notified in advance.
– So it’s clear that if suddenly a lot of US Marines appear who shouldn’t be there, there’s probably only one logical explanation with the way the world looks now, he says.
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He also believes Denmark should be more cautious about which US activities are allowed in Greenland:
– It could be a Trojan horse, so we must be cautious. If we overreact, that too could be used as an excuse to take over control.
“Then It’s All Over”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has repeatedly made it clear that Greenland is not for sale and not something the US can take over. She has previously spoken to Trump about the issue, but has no hope that more talks or other actions will make him change his mind.
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– If one NATO country attacks another NATO country, then it’s all over, she says.
– If the American president is serious, then we are in a very grave situation.
On Saturday, Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro was captured in a US military operation against the capital Caracas. Afterwards, Trump said that the US now “rules” Venezuela and also mentioned that he still aims to take over Greenland, naming deadlines of 20 days and two months.
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