Canada to bring arms to Kurds in Iraq

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Canada is committing two cargo planes to move military supplies into northern Iraq as part of the international effort to bolster Kurdish forces against Islamic militants.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Friday a CC-177 Globemaster and a CC-130J Hercules transport will shuttle arms provided by allies to the Iraqi city of Irbil over the next few days

The flights, crewed by some 30 Canadian Forces personnel, will continue as long as there is equipment and supplies to move.

The U.S. and France are already sending weapons, while Britain has indicated it’s also prepared to help arm the Kurdish forces fighting militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.

Harper says Canada will not stand by idly while ISIL continues to murder innocent civilians and religious minorities.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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