Canada extends military mission in Iraq

Canadian troops working in Iraq will stay for at least another two years as part of a US-led coalition of countries fighting Daesh in the country.

“The threat posed by ISIS [Daesh] requires that Canadian soldiers stay until the end of March 2019 at least,” the Canadian defence minister was quoted as saying.

“Canada will spend about $371.4 million on its mission in Iraq over the next two years,” he said.

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According to the plan, the Canadian troops will train potential new partners within the Iraqi security forces.

Canada has about 200 special forces operating in northern Iraq, as well as 50 troops performing medical duties, a helicopter, a surveillance aircraft and an air-to-air refuelling aircraft.

The United States is leading an international coalition of more than 60 countries which has been carrying out airstrikes against the terrorist group’s strongholds in Iraq and Syria for more than two years.

The coalition forces also provide advice and support to local forces in both countries.