(Ottawa) Canada is extending a scaled-down version of its military mission in Iraq and the Middle East for two years.
Defense Minister Anita Anand announced the extension on Monday afternoon, before the mandate of the mission known as Operation IMPACT expires on Friday.
The latest extension comes more than eight years after Canada first deployed troops to the region in October 2014, as Daesh (the Islamic State armed group) threatened to take control of Iraq and Syria. .
The mission has evolved several times over the years, having for a time incorporated fighter jets, transport and surveillance aircraft, helicopters, military trainers and special forces troops.
But it has also shrunk in size and importance as concerns about Daesh faded while other crises and threats involving Russia, China and the COVID-19 pandemic emerged.
Defense officials say the number of Canadian troops will be further reduced, with the military planning to have around 150 troops in the region, half the current number.
Mme Anand said Canada will continue to deploy military trainers to Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon as part of the extension, while providing transportation and logistics support to allies outside of Kuwait.
The mission against Daesh has largely escaped public attention, but it has had its share of controversy over the years. In particular, questions were asked whether Canadian troops had been involved in combat and questions were asked about the selection of Iraqi troops trained by Canada.
The Liberals have also been criticized for withdrawing Canadian fighter jets after taking power in 2015, while Canada’s partnership with Iraq’s Kurdish minority has put that country in an awkward position in the face of Kurdish calls for independence of Iraq.
A Canadian soldier was killed while participating in Operation IMPACT. Sergeant Andrew Doiron died after Kurdish forces mistakenly shot the Canadian special forces member. Three other Canadians were injured in the “friendly fire” incident.