Canada Begins Airstrikes Against Islamic State In Iraq
Canada began its first string of airstrikes against the Islamic State on Monday, targeting key areas in Iraq currently held by the terrorist organization.
The Canadian Air Force completed its first round of airstrikes Monday in Fallujah, Iraq, where there are multiple Islamic State holdouts. Poor weather in the past month has prevented Canada from conducting its airstrikes sooner, as it only uses laser-guided bombs that cannot be responsibly deployed in cloudy weather.
Canada is now expected to aquire GPS-guided bombs that would allow the country's air force to deploy airstrikes no matter the weather.
"Coordinated with our coalition partners, two CF-18s (Hornet fighter jets) attacked ISIL targets with GBU-12 laser-guided bombs in the vicinity of Fallujah, Iraq Canadian Defense Minister Rob Nicholson said in a statement.
"The approximately four-hour mission included air-to-air refueling from Canada's Polaris aircraft. All aircraft returned safely to their base," the statement by Nicholson continued, adding "Today's strike demonstrates our government's firm resolve to tackle the threat of terrorism and to stand with our allies against ISIL's atrocities against innocent women, children and men."
Canada has been clear in saying that while it will aid the U.S. in airstrikes against the Islamic State, it will not participate in deploying ground troops, just as the U.S. has agreed not to do so.
As far as the future of Canada's Islamic State airstrikes, Maj. Richard Langlois told The Canadian Press via email that: "Missions are occurring on a regular basis. Relevant information will be released at the appropriate time."
