The deployment of the Danish F-16 fighter jets has been delayed after opposition parties Konservative and Venstre blocked the vote to deploy, demanding clarity on Danes travelling to fight in Syria and Iraq on behalf of Islamic State (IS).
The opposition wants clear guidelines on the punishment that the Islamic fighters will face for taking up arms against the fellow Danish fighter jets that are expected to be deployed sometime this week.
“The government can’t answer if we are in a state of war, which means that Danes going to fight against our soldiers for IS can be tried for treason,” Lars Barfoed, the head of Konservative, told DR Nyheder late last night. “We need assurances on this.”
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Voting at 9am
The foreign minister, Martin Lidegaard, said he would discuss the issue with the opposition parties early on Thursday morning so that the deployment vote can take place.
Parliament will reconvene at 09:00 this morning to vote on the deployment of the F-16s to Iraq, and only Enhedslisten party is expected to say no.
Just two weeks ago, the government tightened legislation in order to stem the rising number of young people travelling to take part in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq on behalf of IS.
