Close X
Sunday, December 1, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canadian military spends New Year's Eve bombing militant positions in Iraq

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Jan, 2015 11:20 AM

    OTTAWA — Two Canadian fighter jets spent New Year's Eve bombing militants' positions in Iraq as part of a international airstrike campaign.

    The Defence Department says that on Dec. 31, the two CF-18s struck ISIL fighting positions using precision-guided munitions.

    The planes were acting in support of Iraqi security forces' group operations west of Fallujah.

    According to information posted by the American and Australian governments, the targets hit in that area were tactical units belong to the Islamic State.

    The group, which has declared a self-styled caliphate, holds about a third of Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

    The U.S. government says fighter planes and drones also conducted airstrikes in Syria on Dec. 31, destroying oil derricks, ISIL buildings and fighting positions.

    Canada is currently only involved in the air war in Iraq but in year-end interviews, Prime Minister Stephen Harper appeared to leave the door open to joining airstrikes in Syria too.

    The Defence Department says they will be providing a full update on Monday about the latest actions by the Canadian military in Iraq.

    "Striking ISIL fighting positions degrades their fighting capabilities, denies them safe havens to conduct their operations and contributes to increasing the (Iraqi Security Forces) freedom of movement in the region," the Defence Department said of Wednesday's airstrikes.

    Since the Canadian military joined the international air campaign in October, Canadian planes have flown 261 sorties.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    'We lost a lifetime of hope' Lin's father says after Magnotta convicted of murder

    'We lost a lifetime of hope' Lin's father says after Magnotta convicted of murder
    The prosecution described Jun Lin as the perfect victim, a man without local family or friends to take notice when he walked into Luka Rocco Magnotta's apartment never to walk out again.

    'We lost a lifetime of hope' Lin's father says after Magnotta convicted of murder

    Man facing terrorism-related charge called 'lone wolf' and denied bail

    Man facing terrorism-related charge called 'lone wolf' and denied bail
    MONTREAL — A judge denied bail on Tuesday to a man facing a terrorism-related charge, calling him a "lone wolf" and a "danger to society."

    Man facing terrorism-related charge called 'lone wolf' and denied bail

    Some numbers from Luka Rocco Magnotta's first-degree murder trial

    Some numbers from Luka Rocco Magnotta's first-degree murder trial
    MONTREAL — Luka Rocco Magnotta was found guilty on Tuesday of first-degree murder and four other charges in the killing and dismemberment of Jun Lin in May 2012. Here are some numbers from the proceedings:

    Some numbers from Luka Rocco Magnotta's first-degree murder trial

    Timeline of events in case of accused killer Luka Rocco Magnotta

    Timeline of events in case of accused killer Luka Rocco Magnotta
    MONTREAL — Luka Rocco Magnotta was found guilty on Tuesday of first-degree murder and four other charges in the killing and dismemberment of Jun Lin in May 2012. Here is a timeline of events in the case:

    Timeline of events in case of accused killer Luka Rocco Magnotta

    Suspect in the murder of Alberta seniors, Travis Vader, granted bail

    Suspect in the murder of Alberta seniors, Travis Vader, granted bail
    EDMONTON — A lawyer for a suspect in a case involving two Alberta seniors who vanished four years ago is planning to challenge the reactivation of old murder charges.

    Suspect in the murder of Alberta seniors, Travis Vader, granted bail

    RCMP arrest veteran Mountie in Manitoba on 13 drug and weapons charges

    RCMP arrest veteran Mountie in Manitoba on 13 drug and weapons charges
    WINNIPEG — The RCMP says its serious and organized crime unit has arrested a veteran Mountie in Manitoba on 13 drug and weapons charges.

    RCMP arrest veteran Mountie in Manitoba on 13 drug and weapons charges