Until 31 March 2019, the Government of Canada is extending its military support to help the Global Coalition in its fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The extended support includes providing training for new potential partners within the Iraqi security forces and supplying a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CC-130J Hercules aircraft for tactical airlift.
Up to 850 military personnel will be deployed to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Canada Defence Minister Harjit S Sajjan said: “Our new defence policy has made it very clear that Canada is ready and willing to do its part for the global community. This includes confronting security issues that threaten our shores and those of our allies and partners.
“We must continue working with the Global Coalition against ISIS and to address the security challenges which confront Iraq, Syria, and the region.”
Canada will continue to provide aerial refuelling and surveillance capabilities, as well as tactical helicopters from the RCAF.
The Iraqi security forces will also continue to receive training, advice, and assistance from Canadian military personnel.
Existing capabilities include capacity building in Jordan and Lebanon, a Role 2 medical facility, and support to the Global Coalition with highly-skilled personnel, including intelligence support.
Over the next two years, Canada is also providing C$371.4m ($285.9m) to support the renewed contribution to the Global Coalition against ISIS.
In February last year, Canada committed to provide more than $1.6bn over the course of three years to address security, stabilisation, humanitarian and development challenges stemming from the crises in Iraq and Syria and their impacts on Jordan and Lebanon.
Image: A CH-146 Griffon helicopter from 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, located at Valcartier, Quebec, Canada, takes off in Northern Iraq during Operation Impact in December last year. Photo: courtesy of DND, KW06-2017-0015-002.
