CANADIAN TROOPS, ISIL HAVE CLASHED DOZENS OF TIMES IN IRAQ, SAYS COMMANDER.

‘A substantial number of engagements’

WHEN WE SHOOT FIRST THERE ARE EMERGING THREATS.

Canadian troops have engaged in a substantial number of clashes with Islamic State of Iraq and Levant gunmen in the last several weeks but commanders are still insisting such actions don’t rank as being part of a combat mission.

Anti-tank missiles have been fired by Canadian special forces and gunfire exchanged.

Iraqi security forces as well as the Canadian-backed Kurdish troops have been advancing on the ISIL stronghold of Mosul and have engaged in heavy combat.

The number of such clashes involving Canadian commandos has been “substantial” and involves several dozen incidents, special forces commander Maj. Gen. Mike Rouleau revealed Wednesday at a briefing in Ottawa. “This is the reality of modern conflict,” he added. “There have been a substantial number of engagements.”

Canadian special forces have used anti-tank missiles on three occasions to destroy ISIL suicide vehicles, Rouleau said.

“When we shoot first there are emerging threats,” he added.

No civilians have been killed or injured in such engagements, according to Rouleau. He did not have numbers on ISIL gunmen who have been killed by Canadian troops.

“I do have the numbers but we don’t do body counts,” Rouleau explained. “It’s difficult to be precise.”

The number of clashes have increased because Kurds have gone on the offensive against ISIL forces, he added. Photos on social media have shown Canadian special forces with anti-tank weapons.

In addition, Rouleau said Canadians have exchanged small arms fire and fired mortars at ISIL troops.

The mandate for Canadian troops to advise and assist Kurdish forces has not changed, Rouleau argued. In most actions the Canadian troops have received fire from ISIL forces and responded, he noted.

Rouleau said a Canadian military hospital has treated 600 injured Iraqis so far. The hospital has not treated any ISIL gunmen. “What we’re seeing is they want to fight to the death,” Rouleau said.

Lt.-Gen. Stephen Bowes, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command, said he expects the battle for Mosul to continue for months. “Many of the fighters have nowhere to retreat,” he said.