"We want to reinforce the military police corps deployed in Iraq because there is a greater-than-expected need for patrol missions in the region," Major Jan Brinck told AFP.

The Danish troops have since June controlled the region of Qurna, located 75 kilometers (45 miles) from Basra, in the southern sector under British command.

Denmark was one of Washington's staunchest allies in the war on Iraq.

WAR.WIRE