Danish police have arrested a group of young women dubbed the “Arctic Angels” in Greenland’s capital, allegedly caught with weapons while plotting an attack on the U.S. consulate amid escalating tensions over American military expansion in the strategically vital Arctic territory.
Security Threat Emerges in Strategic Arctic Territory
Danish authorities arrested several young women in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, after discovering weapons and evidence of plans to target U.S. diplomatic facilities. The suspects, reportedly calling themselves or dubbed by media as the “Arctic Angels,” were detained by Danish police working with security services. This incident represents a significant departure from typically peaceful activism in the region, marking potential escalation in local opposition to American military presence.
Decades of Military Buildup Create Local Tensions
The arrests occur against a backdrop of intensifying U.S. military activities in Greenland, where America has maintained bases since 1951 under a bilateral defense agreement. Thule Air Base serves as a critical node for missile warning systems and nuclear deterrence against Russian threats. Recent modernization efforts and expanded diplomatic presence in Nuuk have heightened visibility of American strategic interests, coinciding with NATO’s renewed focus on Arctic defense following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
BREAKING:
🇩🇰🇺🇸 Denmark instructs military to open fire if US attempts to invade Greenland – Berlingske
The Danish military leadership has confirmed that Denmark’s armed forces will resist if the United States attempts to invade Greenland, which could lead to a direct conflict… pic.twitter.com/Z9wuN2jpoI
— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) January 7, 2026
Local grievances stem from decades of environmental and health impacts from U.S. military operations. The 1968 crash of a B-52 bomber carrying four thermonuclear bombs near Thule spread plutonium contamination, exposing local workers to radiation without their knowledge. Many subsequently developed cancers. Additionally, Camp Century, an abandoned U.S. facility under the ice sheet, left behind diesel, PCBs, sewage, and radioactive waste that threatens to emerge as Arctic ice melts.
Environmental Justice Issues Fuel Anti-American Sentiment
The 1951 defense agreement exempts the United States from cleanup responsibilities at former military sites, leaving Denmark and Greenland to address contamination. This has created lasting resentment among Inuit communities who bear the health and environmental costs while having minimal say in defense policies. Sara Olsvig of the Inuit Circumpolar Council has criticized U.S. objectives in Greenland as focused on “maintaining access to bases and tapping mineral riches” rather than addressing historical injustices.
Sources:
Cold War Militarism in Greenland and the Inuit Arctic
Good Morning America Video Report
Protecting the North American Arctic and Beyond