Canada conducts first airstrikes on ISIS targets in Iraq

OTTAWA, Canada – The Canadian military dropped bombs on Islamic State (ISIS) positions in Iraq for the first time Sunday, November 2, in support of the US-led coalition.

“Coordinated with our coalition partners, two CF-18s attacked ISIL targets with GBU12 500-pound (227-kilogram) laser-guided bombs in the vicinity of Fallujah,” Defense Minister Rob Nicholson said in a statement.

“All aircraft returned safely to their base.”

Nicholson declined to detail damage caused to the targets during the approximately 4-hour mission, indicating that such details would be provided during a news conference Tuesday, November 4.

Canada conducted its first airstrikes in the anti-ISIS fight following two days of reconnaissance after joining the coalition on Thursday, October 30.

“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,” Nicholson said, using another acronym by which ISIS is known.

“I thank all our men and women in uniform for their work on this important mission.”

In Syria, coalition aircraft hit ISIS positions in 5 separate strikes near the border town of Kobane over the weekend. The strikes struck 5 small ISIS units and destroyed three ISIS vehicles, according to US Central Command.

The Canadian strikes came as French President Francois Hollande visited Canada. He was expected to discuss the conflict in Iraq with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. – Rappler.com