World

Canada's fighter jets fly final anti-Islamic State raids

The final air strikes were against an IS fighting position in the vicinity of Fallujah, Iraq

Afp February 18, 2016

canadian air force jets have made their last strikes targeting an is quot fighting position in the vicinity of fallujah quot iraq a defense ministry statement said photo afp

Canadian air force jets have made their last strikes, targeting an IS "fighting position in the vicinity of Fallujah," Iraq, a Defense Ministry statement said PHOTO: AFP

OTTAWA: Canadian F-18 fighter jets have flown their last raids against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged, authorities said Wednesday.

The final air strikes were against an IS "fighting position in the vicinity of Fallujah," Iraq, a Defense Ministry statement said. The planes flew their last sortie on Sunday, it added.

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In place of the six F-18 fighter jets, Ottawa said it would triple the number of special forces training Kurdish militia in northern Iraq to about 210.

Canadian CC-150T Polaris refueling and CP-140 Aurora surveillance aircraft would continue to play roles in the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group, it said.

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The withdrawal of Canada's warplanes -- a campaign promise made by Trudeau in the run-up to October legislative elections -- is seen as a symbolic blow against unity in the US-led coalition bombing the IS group in Iraq and Syria.