Denmark's Defense Command announced on 19/1 that more army soldiers arrived in Greenland for the Arctic Endurance exercise, releasing images of troops disembarking from transport aircraft but not detailing the exact number.

Danish broadcaster TV2 reported that 58 soldiers landed in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, joining an advance team of about 60 troops already deployed to prepare for the exercise.

General Soren Andersen, commander of Denmark's Arctic Command, had previously stated that nearly 100 personnel were deployed to Nuuk, Greenland's capital, with a similar number arriving in Kangerlussuaq.

Danish soldiers arrived in Greenland on 19/1. Photo: Denmark's Defense Command

This deployment occurred hours after former US President Donald Trump again declined to rule out military action to control Greenland. In an NBC News interview on 19/1, Trump responded with "no comment" when questioned about using force to acquire the island.

Trump had previously sent a letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, stating he was no longer obligated "to only think of peace" after not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is situated near North America, between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. A Danish territory, it has a population of 57.000 and covers approximately 2,16 million square kilometers, making it larger than Mexico and over three times the size of Texas.

Its location on the shortest shipping route between North America and Europe makes it strategically vital for Washington. Greenland also possesses abundant, largely untapped mineral resources.

Former President Trump first floated the idea of annexing the island during his initial term and has reiterated this plan since returning to power last year. He has argued that if the United States does not control Greenland, China or Russia will.

Location of Greenland. Graphic: BBC

Denmark has repeatedly stated that Greenland is "not for sale", cautioning that any attempt to control the island by force would jeopardize NATO.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met on 19/1 with Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen and Vivian Motzfeldt, Greenland's top diplomat, to discuss enhancing Arctic security, including establishing a joint NATO mission on the island.

By Pham Giang (Sources: CNN, TV2, Al Jazeera)