A sign in Greenland advocating for the island's sovereignty [Reuters-Yonhap]
A sign in Greenland advocating for the island's sovereignty [Reuters-Yonhap]

The United States plans to reactivate a Cold War-era military base in Greenland and station troops in the island's eastern region, Reuters reported Monday.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the US, Denmark and Greenland are set to sign a new security agreement on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

Under the deal, the US plans to reopen a former military base in Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland.

The site hosted a US military installation known as Bluie West One until the 1950s, in the early years of the Cold War.

During the Cold War, the US operated 17 military facilities in Greenland and stationed more than 10,000 troops there.

The only US military facility currently remaining on the island is Pituffik Space Base, which houses about 150 soldiers.

The US also plans to establish a military foothold in Mestersvig in eastern Greenland.

Mestersvig currently serves as a military outpost used by the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, a Danish special forces unit.

However, the details of the agreement have not been finalized.

President Donald Trump disclosed Friday on Truth Social that the US had reached a security agreement with Denmark.

The Trump administration said the deal would allow the US to permanently station troops in Greenland and expand the number of bases there as needed.

US basing rights would remain in place even if Greenland were to gain independence from Denmark in the future.

Under the agreement, non-NATO members including China and Russia would be barred from establishing military bases in Greenland or making investments that threaten US security.

Denmark said the deal would place Arctic security under NATO management rather than leaving it solely to the two countries.

Trump has insisted since taking office that the US must control Greenland, a stance that sparked diplomatic tensions within NATO and prompted Denmark and Greenland to enter negotiations with Washington.

The agreement leaves Greenland's sovereignty with Denmark while expanding US military influence over the island.


husn7@heraldcorp.com