French President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency defense cabinet on Thursday as France moved to deploy military personnel to Greenland, responding to rising geopolitical tensions sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s stated intent to acquire the Arctic island. The meeting, confirmed by a French government official, was scheduled to begin at 0700 GMT in Paris and also addressed Iran’s intensified crackdown on nationwide protests, underscoring the breadth of security concerns confronting France and its allies. In an overnight post on X, Macron announced that France had begun deploying troops to Greenland to take part in a joint military exercise organized by Denmark and Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. “At Denmark’s request, I have decided that France will participate in the joint exercises organized by Denmark in Greenland,” Macron said. “The first French military elements are already en route. Others will follow.” According to Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, France’s ambassador to the Arctic region, the initial deployment includes around 15 mountain warfare specialists. Speaking to France Info, he said the troops were assisting with preparations for the exercise, known as Operation Arctic Endurance. France’s move comes amid growing unease in Europe following a high-level meeting between U.S., Danish, and Greenlandic officials that exposed deep disagreements over the island’s future governance and security, according to officials familiar with the talks. Greenland, strategically located in the Arctic and rich in rare earth minerals, has drawn increased attention as melting ice opens new shipping routes and intensifies competition among global powers, according to reporting by Reuters and BBC.
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In recent days, Germany, Norway, and Sweden have also begun deploying troops to Greenland, signaling coordinated support for Copenhagen and Nuuk as concerns mount over regional stability. The emergency defense meeting also reviewed developments in Iran, where authorities have expanded security operations to suppress protests across the country. French officials have repeatedly raised concerns over human rights conditions in Iran, aligning with broader European Union positions, according to AFP. Macron is expected to address both the Arctic deployment and wider global security challenges later Thursday during his New Year’s address to the French armed forces, where he is likely to outline France’s strategic priorities for the coming year.