Military will bolster French counterterror operation

OTTAWA— As the Liberal government contemplates which United Nations peacekeeping mission to join, the Canadian military is gearing up to support a major French counterterrorism operation in northern Africa.

Defence officials say planning is underway for Canada to send military transport aircraft to help France in its fight against Islamic militant groups in five countries: Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad.

About 3,000 heavily armed French troops have been hunting al Qaedalinked fighters in the region, called the Sahel, since August 2014.

Code-named Operation Barkhane, the mission has also been recently tasked with supporting UN peacekeepers in Mali if required. National Defence spokesman Daniel Le Bouthillier said plans have not been finalized, but Canadian transport planes are expected to move French troops and equipment into the region.

Canadian military aircraft carried nearly 40 tonnes of equipment between France and Africa with three different flights last year.

They also flew French armoured vehicles, medical supplies and ammunition into Mali in early 2013. French officials have repeatedly praised Canada’s assistance.

The difference this time is that the Liberal government is considering whether to send Canadian peacekeepers to Mali, where the UN has been conducting a peacekeeping mission.

The Liberal government has said it will commit up to 600 troops to UN peacekeeping operations. It has not said where they will be deployed, though officials from National Defence, Global Affairs and the RCMP conducted a “reconnaissance mission” to Mali last month.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan would not say Thursday when the government will make a decision.