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Denmark to pull troops from Iraq | Denmark to pull troops from Iraq |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Denmark will withdraw its troops from Iraq by August, Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said. | Denmark will withdraw its troops from Iraq by August, Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said. |
The troops, numbering about 460, will be replaced by a unit of nine soldiers manning four observational helicopters, he said. | The troops, numbering about 460, will be replaced by a unit of nine soldiers manning four observational helicopters, he said. |
It comes as Tony Blair announced a timetable for reducing British troop numbers in Iraq from 7,100 to 5,500. | It comes as Tony Blair announced a timetable for reducing British troop numbers in Iraq from 7,100 to 5,500. |
Most Danish troops are based in the southern city of Basra, where they operate under British command. | Most Danish troops are based in the southern city of Basra, where they operate under British command. |
The mandate for Danish troops to serve in Iraq is due to expire in June. | |
Mr Rasmussen said the decision to pull out was taken after consultation with the Iraqi government and the British. | |
COALITION FORCES US -132,000UK - 7,100South Korea - 3,200Poland - 900Georgia - 800-850Australia - 900Romania - 600-865Denmark - 460El Salvador - 380Bulgaria - 150 Sources: Brookings Institution; Globalsecurity.org; media reports "We expect that the Iraqis during 2007 will take over security in southern Iraq," she said. | |
Five Danish soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the conflict began in 2003. | Five Danish soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the conflict began in 2003. |
Countries with forces serving in Iraq have been under growing domestic pressure to pull out. | Countries with forces serving in Iraq have been under growing domestic pressure to pull out. |
Mr Rasmussen also said Denmark was considering increasing its troop deployment in Afghanistan from 400 to 600. | |
He gave no timeframe but said: "We are favourable to sending more troops to Afghanistan... because it is essential that Nato wins its battle against the Taleban." | |
Most Danish troops in Afghanistan are under UK command in southern Helmand province. |