ROB GILLIES
Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) — Canada plans to launch airstrikes against the Islamic State militant group in Iraq following a U.S. request and may extend airstrikes into Syria if invited by President Bashar Assad’s government, the prime minister announced Friday.
Stephen Harper said the motion authorizes air strikes in Iraq for up to six months and explicitly states that no ground troops be used in combat operations.
“We will strike ISIL where, and only where, Canada has the clear support of the government of that country. At present, that is only true in Iraq,” Harper said, referring to the Islamic State by one of its acronyms. “If it were to become the case in Syria, then we would participate in airstrikes in that country also.”
The new combat mission includes up to six CF-18 fighter jets, a refueling tanker aircraft, two surveillance planes and one airlift aircraft. About 600 airmen and airwomen will be involved.
Canada is among dozens of countries that have signed up for the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State militant group.
Harper said Canada must do its part if it wants to keep its voice in the world. Being a “free rider means you are not taken seriously,” he said.
Canada has more than two dozen special forces advisers already in Iraq and has plans for up to 69 advisers as part of an effort to advise Kurdish forces against Islamic militants after a request from President Barack Obama. Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes tweeted last month that the U.S. welcomed Harper’s announcement that Canada would send military advisers to Iraq as part of the U.S. effort to support Kurdish forces. Canada also earlier contributed two military cargo planes that carried weapons to Kurdish fighters.
Although the mission doesn’t need parliamentary approval, the government is submitting it to a vote to show consensus. The motion, expected to be voted on Monday, is expected to pass because Harper’s Conservative Party has a majority in Parliament.
Harper’s government won the support of the opposition parties for air strikes in Libya in 2011 but not for this mission. Opposition New Democrat leader Thomas Mulcair said Canada should not rush into war and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau said he won’t support the motion. However, Harper doesn’t need their support because of his party’s majority.
Canada’s former Liberal government refused a request to send troops when the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, straining ties between the two neighbors. Canada then stepped up its Afghanistan mission.
Harper formally ended Canada’s combat role in Afghanistan in 2011. The mission cost 157 soldiers their lives since 2002, shocking Canadians unaccustomed to seeing their troops die in battle.
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