21-11-2024 08:37 PM Jerusalem Timing

Canada’s Fighter Jets Fly Last anti-ISIL Raids

Canada’s Fighter Jets Fly Last anti-ISIL Raids

Canadian F-18 fighter jets have flown their last raids against the so-called ’Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’ (ISIL) takfiri group in Iraq and Syria, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged.

Canada fighter jetCanadian F-18 fighter jets have flown their last raids against the so-called 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' (ISIL) takfiri group in Iraq and Syria, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged, authorities said Wednesday.

The final air strikes were against an ISIL "fighting position in the vicinity of Fallujah," Iraq, a Defense Ministry statement said. The planes flew their last sortie on Sunday, it added.

In place of the six F-18 fighter jets, Ottawa said it would triple the number of special forces training Kurdish militia in northern Iraq to about 210.

Canadian CC-150T Polaris refueling and CP-140 Aurora surveillance aircraft would continue to play roles in the US-led coalition formed supposedly to fight the  ISIL group.

The withdrawal of Canada's warplanes - a campaign promise made by Trudeau in the run-up to October legislative elections - is seen as a symbolic blow against unity in the US-led coalition bombing the ISIL group in Iraq and Syria.