Trudeau commits to larger training role for Canadians
CF-18 fighters strike three Islamic State positions in Iraq though PM promises such missions will end
MANILA, PHILIPPINES— As Canadian fighter jets struck Islamic State positions in Iraq, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that Canada’s anti-terrorism fight will change with the deployment of more troops to help train local fighters to battle extremists on the ground.
Trudeau confirmed Tuesday what he has been hinting at for several days — that a beefed-up training mission will mark the core of Canada’s changing contribution to the coalition fight against extremists in Iraq and Syria.
But the prime minister also warned that the battle against the terrorists will “not be a short engagement.”
The news came on the same day that two CF-18 fighters hit three ISIL positions near Ramadi using precision-guided munitions. In all, Canadian fighters have struck nine times in the last week, including taking part in a broader offensive on Nov. 12 to cut off an ISIL supply line near Sinjar, Iraq.
Trudeau has made clear this week that the Liberals intend to stick to their election pledge to end the year-long combat mission by CF-18s over Iraq and Syria, even as Canada’s allies ramp up their air assaults following the Paris terror attacks.
Instead, Canada will announce that it will commit more soldiers to the training role to enable local militia to take the fight to the extremists and reclaim territory in Iraq lost to ISIL forces.
The prime minister also reiterated his government’s commitment to bring in 25,000 Syrian refugees by Jan. 1, despite provincial and municipal voices expressing concern that the short timetable could compromise security.
Talking to reporters on board a military Airbus en route to the Philippines, Trudeau gave a rough outline of what the new military mission will look like. He said it is certain to involve more than the 69 Canadian troops already on the ground in northern Iraq.
That operation, launched more than a year ago, is a noncombat role for Canadians to train peshmerga forces.
“We committed throughout the campaign, and I’ve committed repeatedly to my allies, that we were going to do more on the training front and, obviously, that means more than just 69 trainers,” Trudeau said.
But just how many more, their exact mission and the timing of the new, larger deployment are all questions that are being looked at, he said.
“We’re looking at a number of options. We’re looking at how we can best be helpful,” Trudeau said.
“Canada has extraordinary Canadian Forces with a wide range of abilities. . . . But training is something we do very, very well,” he said.
Trudeau has been sensitive to any perception that by withdrawing its fighter jets, Canada would be walking away from the coalition fight against the Islamic State.
Trudeau said Canada is committed to do “more than its part” in that battle and pledged that would be a “meaningful” role.
“There’s no question that this is not going to be a short engagement,” Trudeau said, adding that no one solution alone — diplomatic or military — will resolve the Islamic State crisis.
“It’s a lot of people working together in different ways to create stability and security in an area that has been unstable and insecure for a very long time,” Trudeau said.
Trudeau is expected to talk about the shape of that new mission during a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama this week at the APEC summit being held in the Philippines.
Trudeau also sought to reassure Canadians who are concerned about security in the influx of 25,000 Syrian refugees that will come to Canada in the coming weeks.
“We’ve known for a long time and we continue to be very much committed in keeping Canadians safe while we do the right thing to engage responsibly with the humanitarian crisis,” he said.