Canada to end airstrikes in Iraq and Syria as war momentum shifts
World
Canada to end airstrikes in Iraq and Syria as war momentum shifts
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday Canada would pull out six jets that have been bombing targets in Iraq and Syria, ending the country’s controversial combat role in the effort to fight the Islamic State group. Trudeau, following up on campaign promises he made last year, also announced that the government will expand efforts to train local forces and rebuild the war-torn region.
The people terrorized by ISIL (Islamic State) every day don’t need our vengeance; they need our help.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Canada’s decision came as the Syrian army advanced toward the Turkish border on Monday in a major offensive backed by Russia and Iran. It marks one of the biggest shifts in momentum of the war, helping torpedo the first peace talks for two years, which collapsed last week before they had begun in earnest. The fact that Canadians’ appetite for foreign military missions has waned after 10 years of involvement in Afghanistan that ended in 2011, the withdrawal of warplanes is seen as a symbolic blow against unity in the U.S.-led coalition. Canada has been the fourth-largest contributor to the coalition until now. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia will push for an immediate ceasefire in Syria at international talks this week.
In any mission, you need to make choices. We can’t do everything. In our decision, we were guided by our desire to do what we could do best to help in the region, and to do it in the right way.
Justin Trudeau
