Danish veterans hold silent march against Trump's remarks on NATO soldiers

Thousands of Danish veterans and their supporters held a silent march in Copenhagen on Saturday to protest recent controversial remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had downplayed the contributions of NATO soldiers.

Last week, during an interview with Fox News in Davos, Switzerland, Trump dismissed European members' role in NATO, saying that "We've never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them. You know, they'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that. And they did -- they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines."

Protesters, holding banners reading "No Words," proceeded from Kastellet fortress to the U.S. Embassy where protesters placed 52 Danish flags to honor servicemen killed in the U.S.-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. They were angry that embassy staff on Tuesday removed 44 flags commemorating Danish soldiers fallen in Afghanistan.

Organizers opened with a short address, then a minute of silence before participants walked toward the U.S. Embassy.

"I came today to support our Danish veterans because of Trump, the way he treats his so-called allies, but he stomps all over us and enough is enough. First Greenland, now Danish veterans. We can't stand it anymore. We need to show some kind of support," said a protester.

U.S. officials said the removal of the flags was linked to security policy, and the flags were later returned. Protest organizers said the incident raised questions for some veterans and families about recognition and remembrance.

For many veterans and families, the flags were not decorations but names, memories, and proof that Denmark paid a real price alongside an ally.

"I got angry about that. I did actually, because it's something about me. But it's all the friends we lost down there and the family started to see that. That's why. That's why we're here," said a protester.

Organizers also pointed to broader tensions in U.S.–Denmark relations, including renewed discussion about Greenland, where Trump has again raised the idea of U.S. control, which has been rejected by both Denmark and Greenland.

"We have sent a clear signal as the Danish Veterans Associations and other organizations, 19 all in all being here together today, that we support Greenland sovereignty and the self rule which the Greenlanders eventually will decide upon their future, not any other nations," said another protester.

At the embassy gates, the march ended with a five-minute moment of silence.

Danish veterans hold silent march against Trump's remarks on NATO soldiers

Danish veterans hold silent march against Trump's remarks on NATO soldiers

Danish veterans hold silent march against Trump's remarks on NATO soldiers

Danish veterans hold silent march against Trump's remarks on NATO soldiers

Iraq has seen its aviation industry dealt a huge blow because of continued airspace closures and flight suspensions amid regional hostilities triggered by the recent Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran.

As security concerns persist while tensions remain high, Iraq announced on Friday it would extend the closure of its airspace for one more week as uncertainty over the conflict continues to hang in the air.

It is estimated that the country's aviation industry has lost more than 43 million U.S. dollars over the past month since the crisis erupted, with the war causing huge disruption to air travel across the region.

"After the closure of Iraqi airspace, airport operations were halted, and revenue from both arriving and departing flights was lost. This includes income from passenger services as well as overflying aircraft, which has significantly impacted overall revenues," said Maytham al-Safi, director of media office of the Iraqi Ministry of Transport.

The impact is being felt across the board, from government revenues to private businesses, as some of the leading travel agencies say bookings have completely collapsed, with some reporting daily passenger numbers dropping from around 100 to just five.

"Our company has been directly affected. We have four branches and around 80 employees, and the impact has been significant. We still have rent and other expenses to cover, so we are trying to adapt to whatever limited business is still possible," said Ahmed Khalid, managing director of the Safari Trip travel and tourism company in Baghdad.

With air travel no longer an option, many Iraqis are turning to overland routes -- often traveling for hours, even days, to reach neighboring countries like Türkiye. But the journey is not only longer and more expensive, it can also be highly risky.

"This situation creates real anxiety for families. It's not only the travelers who are at risk, but also the vehicles transporting them. These journeys can be dangerous. There is always the risk of accidents or even drone strikes. At the same time, costs have doubled, so people are facing both financial and safety pressures," said Anwar al-Mousawi, a local resident.

For many, a sense of frustration is growing the longer the current situation drags on, as civilians bear the consequences of a conflict they are not part of, and with no clear timeline for reopening Iraqi airspace, economic losses and public frustration are expected to deepen.

"The reality is, we are in a country that is not part of this war and did not start it, yet we are the ones paying the price," said al-Mousawi.

Iraq's aviation industry left grounded as Middle East crisis continues