A Greenlandic soldier serving alongside US forces in Afghanistan has indirectly criticized President Donald Trump for his desire to acquire the Danish territory of Greenland. Soldier Salik Augustinussen cautioned that any American troops acting on Trump’s directive to invade Greenland would essentially be attacking the comrades who stood united with them in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
Greenlandic soldiers, part of the Danish armed forces, were among the 18,000 troops sent to Afghanistan following the invocation of Article 5, which mandates member nations to assist each other in case of an attack. Denmark suffered a significant loss of 43 troops during Operation Enduring Freedom, making it the country with the highest casualty rate until 2009. Despite Denmark’s steadfast alliance with the US and NATO, Trump has threatened to invade Greenland, a Danish territory, alleging the country’s inability to safeguard the Arctic region from potential Russian and Chinese threats.
In a statement permitted for publication by The Mirror, Salik emphasized the unity between Danish and American soldiers in combat zones like Afghanistan, highlighting the shared commitment to protect each other. He warned that any move by the US President to authorize a military invasion of Greenland would not only target him but also jeopardize the unity and security of NATO members and the Kingdom of Denmark.
The Veteran Project Greenland, an organization supporting veterans and their families on the island, expressed concern over the unsettling security environment fueled by the annexation rhetoric from the White House. The group emphasized Greenland’s ownership by its people and denounced any disrespect shown towards them and the veterans who have fought alongside US forces over the years.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has reiterated that Greenland is not up for sale and stressed that the island’s future should be determined by its inhabitants. Recent polling indicated that only six percent of Greenlanders favored joining the US, with 85 percent preferring to remain under Danish sovereignty or seeking independence. The majority stance among the populace was against becoming part of the US, with only a small fraction undecided on the matter.