CANADIAN FORCES IN MALI

Not there for direct combat, source says

OT TAWA • Canadian special forces are in troubled Mali, protecting Canada’s embassy, Postmedia News has learned.

The specially trained soldiers are not in the West African country to participate in any direct combat action, nor will they provide training to the Malian troops, a source said Monday.

However, the special forces personnel have been assigned to provide protection to Canada’s embassy in the capital city of Bamako and provide

We are providing technical assistance to France

for the safety of Canadians in the country.

It is not known how many members of the special unit are in Mali, or how long they have been there.

However, it is understood that with so much instability in the country, Canada wants to ensure its diplomats are guarded.

The West African nation is at the centre of international concern over the actions of al-Qaeda-linked insurgents who have seized control of the country’s north. Moreover, many fear that the rebels could establish a base in Mali for terrorism that could spread throughout Africa and the world.

France and other African countries have mounted a military campaign to oust the rebels.

In the Commons on Monday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper reiterated Canada’s stance that we will not become directly involved in the mission beyond providing the use of Canadian military transport until Feb. 15. A C-17 Globemaster aircraft is moving French troops and equipment into Mali.

“The government has been very clear that we will not undertake a Canadian combat mission in Mali,” Mr. Harper told the Commons. “At the same time, we are providing technical assistance to French and other military forces who are there. We have committed heavy-lift aircraft to that engagement which is being done under United Nations mandate.

“Through this chamber and committees we will be consulting with parliamentarians about any further steps that need to be taken.”

Joint Task Force 2, or JTF2, is a Canadian Forces special operations unit believed to number about 500 soldiers, based just outside Ottawa. Its members are drawn from across the Canadian Forces and are generally considered, among the regular troops, and even among members of the Special Operations Regiment based in Petawawa, Ont., to be the elite of the elite.

JTF2 commandos are highly secretive, revealing neither their identities nor their missions to outsiders. They serve in combat zones typically as advance reconnaissance, snipers, counter-terrorism and protection details, including safeguarding Canadian diplomatic assets and personnel.