Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

With CF-18s poised for takeoff, Iraq debate leaves Canadians in a fog of war

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 Oct, 2014 10:57 AM
  • With CF-18s poised for takeoff, Iraq debate leaves Canadians in a fog of war

OTTAWA - Canadian CF-18s will soon be heading off to war in Iraq, leaving Parliament and the public in a fog about some key elements of the military commitment notably what efforts will be made to limit civilian casualties.

The House of Commons stands poised to approve a motion, likely on Tuesday, that would deploy six fighter-bombers, two CP-140 surveillance planes and one refuelling aircraft for coalition air strikes in Iraq for up to six months.

Tuesday's vote comes as the Pentagon warns that extremists with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant have "gotten better at concealment" since the U.S., Britain, France and key Arab countries began air raids.

U.S. Rear Admiral John Kirby, the assistant secretary of defence for public affairs, told reporters in Washington that extremists who rode around in the open have now dispersed and are hiding among the civilian population, forcing allied air forces to change their own strategy.

"We've seen them change some of their tactics," Kirby said.

"Before the airstrikes happened, they were they pretty much had free rein. They don't have that free rein anymore, because they know we're watching from the air."

The Harper government was mute during Monday's debate about what precautions would be taken to prevent bombs from going astray and killing innocent people.

Defence Minister Rob Nicholson would only say that the air force will "live up to the highest standards."

National Defence was asked what sort of legal agreements were in place to protect Canadian pilots from possible accusations of targeting civilians.

A spokeswoman for Nicholson, Johanna Quinney, would only respond with the blanket assurance that the air force is "authorized to strike ISIL in the Republic of Iraq."

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said the "Conservatives have gone out of their way to stifle informed debate."

The use of airstrikes and the resulting civilian casualties was a big factor in turning many Afghans against NATO forces in that country. The anger became so strong that the U.S. general leading the war effort was forced to place limits on how and when they could be used.

The Libya bombing campaign was conducted with relatively few civilian casualties, but those deaths were reviewed by a United Nations commission that urged the military alliance to conduct its own further investigation.

Green party Leader Elizabeth May questioned the effectiveness of airstrikes, citing published reports from the region quoting Kurdish fighters who say the airstrikes have failed to slow ISIL's advance.

"They scattered and re-form after the jets leave," said May, who asked for evidence that the bombing runs would prove effective.

She wondered whether "the planned mission will do anything other than to fall into the trap (ISIL) has set to get us involved for their propaganda and ongoing efforts to destabilize the region and encourage recruitment."

Neither Nicholson nor National Defence would say which of Canada's principal fighter bases Bagotville, Que., or Cold Lake, Alta. would contribute the CF-18s.

The Conservative government also refused to say where the aircraft would be based in the Middle East. Britain, on the other hand, has made no secret of the fact its Tornado GR4 fighter jets are operating out of Cyprus.

Nicholson would not provide an estimate on what the deployment could cost, despite the fact the U.S. openly acknowledged last week its campaign is already closing in on the $1-billion mark.

In the case of Canada's nearly eight-month long air assault on Libya in 2011, which used a force of identical size, the incremental cost the amount of money spent over and above what normal expenditures would have been without the mission was roughly $103.6-million.

Also left unanswered by the debate was the question of under what circumstances Canadian aircraft would conduct missions over Syria.

Last week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said such raids would only be done with the consent of the Syrian government, but the NDP expressed outrage at the notion.

President Bashar al-Assad's government, which ISIL has been fighting, would stand to benefit. Conservative ministers have so far not explained how such consent for Canadian bombing would be obtained.

Liberal foreign affairs critic Marc Garneau said the government failed to make the case for war.

"The prime minister is taking us across the Rubicon by deciding on a combat mission," he said. "Once a country makes that decision, there is no turning back the clock."

MORE National ARTICLES

Heart and Stroke Foundation wants Ottawa to quickly regulate e-cigarettes

Heart and Stroke Foundation wants Ottawa to quickly regulate e-cigarettes
OTTAWA - The Heart and Stroke Foundation wants the federal government to move quickly to regulate electronic cigarettes in much the same way as tobacco products.

Heart and Stroke Foundation wants Ottawa to quickly regulate e-cigarettes

Harper makes case for Iraq mission: six-month window for airstrikes, no troops

Harper makes case for Iraq mission: six-month window for airstrikes, no troops
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper laid out his case Friday for a Canadian combat mission in the Middle East, promising a fixed six-month window for airstrikes in Iraq — and possibly Syria — with no ground combat.

Harper makes case for Iraq mission: six-month window for airstrikes, no troops

Jury watches Jun Lin on video entering Magnotta's apartment building

Jury watches Jun Lin on video entering Magnotta's apartment building
MONTREAL - Video surveillance shown at Luka Rocco Magnotta's first-degree murder trial on Thursday showed Jun Lin entering the killer's apartment building on the day he was last seen alive.

Jury watches Jun Lin on video entering Magnotta's apartment building

Court refuses to stop huge Ontario wind-farm construction pending appeal

Court refuses to stop huge Ontario wind-farm construction pending appeal
TORONTO - Construction of what would be one of Ontario's largest wind farms can continue, despite an ongoing legal attempt by a farm family to scuttle the $850-million project, a Divisional Court justice has ruled.

Court refuses to stop huge Ontario wind-farm construction pending appeal

Canadian satellite delayed by political dispute with Russia to be launched by India

Canadian satellite delayed by political dispute with Russia to be launched by India
MONTREAL - The launch of a Canadian satellite, postponed amid tensions in the Ukraine, is finally scheduled for liftoff — one year behind schedule.

Canadian satellite delayed by political dispute with Russia to be launched by India

Harper to provide details on Friday of combat mission against ISIL

Harper to provide details on Friday of combat mission against ISIL
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper was to outline details on Friday of a proposed combat role for Canada in northern Iraq as the opposition parties were staking out their positions on the issue.

Harper to provide details on Friday of combat mission against ISIL