The Danish prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt has revealed that her government intends to support US military efforts in northern Iraq and also contribute humanitarian aid to the beleaguered region.
The government’s plan, which still needs approval from parliament, includes sending a transport aircraft that will assist in the transportation of material and emergency aid.
“The government has decided to announce to the US and other like-minded nations that we are prepared to contribute to the US-led operation concerning humanitarian aid to northern Iraq,” Thorning-Schmidt told TV2.
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Fleeing for their lives
The prime minister is confident that the majority of parliament is ready to approve the government’s plans after speaking with several party heads last night. The next step is to discuss options with the Americans.
US military aircraft have been delivering humanitarian aid to the embattled area in recent days and have air-dropped food and water to the thousands of civilians fleeing the violence brought on by the arrival of the Islamic State.
The aid organisation Red Barnet estimated that about 800,000 children are displaced in the area and more than 20,000 people are isolated on the Sinjar Mountain, which has been surrounded by the IS.
