CBC NewsPolitics
IN THE NEWS
Canada considers taking fight against ISIS to Libya, Syria
'We're going to look at all of the options,' Defence Minister Jason Kenney says
CBC News Posted: Feb 21, 2015 10:25 AM ET Last Updated: Feb 21, 2015 12:47 PM ET
Defence Minister Jason Kenney continues to send signals that Canada's mission in Iraq could be extended and that the fight against ISIS could go beyond Iraq. (Canadian Forces Combat Camera)
851 shares
| ||||
| ||||
| ||||
| ||||
| ||||
| ||||
|
Related Stories
- ISIS revenge: Libya car bomb deaths rise to 42
- ISIS Libyan allies hit by Egyptian airstrikes after mass beheading video
- Iraq mission costs could top $166M for 6 months: budget watchdog
- Power & Politics' Ballot Box question: Mission cost
- Iraq mission has so far cost Canada $122M
- Rob Nicholson says cost of Iraq mission to be revealed later
Defence Minister Jason Kenney has indicated the government is not ruling out taking Canada's military mission against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group beyond Iraq — to Syria and Libya.
Evan Solomon, host of CBC Radio's The House, asked Kenney about participating in missions in those countries.
- ISIS revenge: Libya car bomb deaths rise to 42
- Iraq mission has so far cost Canada $122M: Kenney
- Canadians trade fire with ISIS as military waits on possible extension
- Rob Nicholson says cost of Iraq mission to be revealed later
"Well, we're going to look at all of the options," Kenney said an interview broadcast Saturday.
"Obviously there are practical limits to our ability to operate around the world, but we will look at our options to see where we can have the most impact, where we're most needed," he said. "That requires ongoing consultation with our allies. We don't just decide these things unilaterally."
Fight could be renewed
"Obviously we're in Iraq at the invitation of that government in a mission of, I think, over two dozen countries being coordinated by the United States. If we can help meaningfully in the fight against ISIL elsewhere we'll give that consideration," the minister said.
This week, Kenney hinted that Canada's six-month military commitment to fight the extremist group could be renewed. He said cabinet members would be evaluating the progress of Operation Impact in the "very near future" as they make that decision.
Canadian fighter jets have been in Kuwait since October for the mission, which is scheduled to run until the start of April.
Egypt has called for international intervention in Libya against ISIS. Loyalists of the Syria- and Iraq-based group have risen in number to dominate several cities in the North African nation.
Last weekend, ISIS released a video showing the beheading 21 Coptic Christians from Egypt, on a beach in Libya. The mass slaying provoked a round of Egyptian air strikes on the group’s Libyan stronghold of Derna.
end quote from:
No comments:
Post a Comment