Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada’s fighter jets will end their fight against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria within the next two weeks.
Canadian bombs will stop falling by Feb. 22, but the complement of military personnel in the region will climb to 830 — up from the current 650 — and will provide planning, targeting and intelligence expertise.
The size of Canada’s “train, advise and assist” mission will also triple, including additional medical personnel and equipment including small arms, ammunition and optics to assist in training Iraqi security forces.
The new Liberal mission will also include a team of strategic advisers to help Iraq’s defence and interior ministries.
Trudeau is making the announcement alongside Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion and International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau.
The time frame of Canada’s contribution to the mission against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, known as Operation Impact, is also being extended until the end of March 2017.
