Denmark ready to take on IS

Denmark is ready to send F-16 fighter jets and 400 troops to Iraq and Syria to fight the Islamic State group, Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Friday.

A majority of political parties in parliament’s foreign affairs committee expressed support for the government’s proposal, and “the government will on the basis of today’s meeting submit a bill to a parliamentary vote to strengthen the campaign against IS,” a statement from the prime minister’s office said. The vote is scheduled for April 19.

“It is a serious decision to send Danish men and women on a mission in the world’s hot spots. Therefore, I am grateful that the government’s proposal enjoys broad support from the parties in parliament,” Rasmussen said. The Danish contribution, which also includes a transport aircraft, would be available from mid-2016.

The 400 soldiers would include pilots, support staff and 60 special operations forces. It was not immediately known what the special forces would be assigned to do in Syria.

Denmark is a member of the international US-led coalition against IS, but has so far only intervened in Iraq.