New Greenland agreement: US troops moving deep into the Arctic

A small Danish military outpost in eastern Greenland could become Washington's main Arctic base under a new US defense agreement. Known as Mestersvig, the base sits 240 kilometers from the nearest settlement, in an exceptionally harsh climate. Often compared to Antarctica, the site is also used for supply purposes by Denmark's elite special forces units. The aging facility, with barracks for 150 people, is currently staffed by just three soldiers.

"Postxronika.az" reports, citing Reuters, that the strategic base sits in the GIUK gap, which controls Russia's access to the Atlantic Ocean. For NATO, dominating this geographic point is vital for deterring Russia's naval power. Under the agreement, Washington will be allowed to build new military facilities on the island. The move is considered the first expansion the US has carried out on the Arctic island in recent decades.

During World War II, the outpost was also a battleground between the Allies and Germany over weather forecasting. German secret networks there were discovered and eliminated by Denmark's dog-sled patrols. Local officials have welcomed the new funding being directed to the region. The US side has not yet made an official statement regarding plans to expand the military base.

Rəşad Hüseynov