Several dozen Canadian special ops forces will deploy to Iraq as part of a military adviser mission that the federal government announced on Friday, 麻豆传媒 has learned.
More than 100 members of the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) will take part in the new mission. The regiment regularly trains and advises foreign militaries on counter-terrorism efforts.
The federal government announced the adviser mission as a NATO summit in Wales drew to a close on Friday.
Canada鈥檚 decision to send the advisers to Iraq is 鈥渘ot without risk,鈥� Prime Minister Stephen Harper acknowledged Friday, but is necessary to help Iraqi forces hold back the advance of Islamic State militants, he said.
They will join U.S. soldiers to advise the Iraqi government on how to halt the further advance of IS extremists in the country鈥檚 north.
Canadian soldiers will provide 鈥渟trategic and tactical advice to Iraqi forces鈥� before they engage in operations against Islamic State, according to a news release.
Harper said the decision followed a request for Canadian advisers from U.S. President Barack Obama.
The initial commitment is for 30 days, Harper said, and the mission will be reassessed after that.
Canadian soldiers will not see combat, but the mission is not without risk, he said.
鈥淭his is not a combat mission and our role is clearly defined. Canada is joining our allies in providing critical advice to forces in northern Iraq as they continue to hold back the terrorist advance,鈥� Harper told reporters.
鈥淏ut while this mission is low risk, it鈥檚 not without risk. Our men and women in uniform are ready to answer this call, and I thank them for always being prepared to defend Canadian values and interests in a dangerous world.鈥�
The mission follows a commitment of millions of dollars to humanitarian efforts in Iraq, as well as two RCAF transport aircraft that have delivered military supplies to Kurdish forces.
Harper was asked about the potential danger Canadians may face in Iraq, and replied that both the government and the Canadian Forces have evaluated the risks.
鈥淲e think the risks are acceptable and manageable, but the risks do exist,鈥� Harper said, adding that while he doesn鈥檛 think the risks are enormous, 鈥渢he risks are very real.鈥�
Harper did not directly address a question about potential 鈥渕ission creep. However, he did hint at further Canadian involvement in Iraq by noting that he expects Canada鈥檚 allies 鈥渁re going to look at further steps to respond to this threat.鈥�
Canada will 鈥渆valuate those as we鈥檙e made aware of the plans,鈥� he said.
