Canada to end anti-IS airstrikes, triple size of Iraq training mission

WASHINGTON, Feb 8 (KUNA) -- Canada will cease airstrikes against so-called Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq on February 22, but will continue to conduct surveillance and carry out refueling efforts for allies in coalition, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday.
Instead of airstrikes, "our efforts should better reflect what Canada is all about," Trudeau told reporters. His remarks were picked up in Washington D.C..
Among the "uniquely Canadian areas of expertise" picked up after 10 years in Afghanistan is an enhanced military training capability which will be stepped up in northern Iraq, Trudeau said.
The non-combat "assist, advise, and equip" mission will triple in size and include medical personnel, the prime minister affirmed.
Toward enhancing the intelligence capability, the number of Canadian troops in the region will increase from 650 to 830, Trudeau revealed.
This effort is expected to last two years, he added. Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi "thanked me for Canada's approach," Trudeau noted.
On the humanitarian front, CDN 840 million will be dedicated to serving the immediate needs of the victims of IS in the region, and CDN 270 million will go toward building local capacity in countries hosting refugees, including the maintenance of infrastructure, the fostering of good governance, and the promotion of employment, the prime minister announced.
The CDN 1.6 billion in total will be spread out over three years, he added.
"Our country truly is welcoming and warm and it is in this spirit that we must continue our work abroad," Trudeau said, referencing the 15,000 Syrian refugees that have already been flown into Canada, and the remaining 10,000 that are expected by the end of the month.
The prime minister's plan will be debated in parliament when the House of Commons resumes activity next week.
In summing up his decision, Trudeau stressed that "people terrorized by IS don't need our vengeance, they need our help." He added: "The lethal enemy of barbarism isn't hatred... it's reason." (end) ys.bs