Canada Airstrikes ISIS - Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is reportedly very eager to launch an airstrike against ISIS in Iraq, he is asking the Parliament to give him the go signal, New York Times has learned.
Canada is joining its allies in bombarding airstrikes against the Islamic State militants, said Harper during a rare address to Parliament on Friday.
Harper gushed that Canada will be carrying out airstrikes for up to six months, but clarified that they will not be sending in group troops for combat operations.
The Canada airstrikes ISIS story is expected to be Canada's biggest contribution in the fight of its allies against the Islamic State militants.
As of late, the airstrikes are limited to Iraq, but when the Syrian government gives the go signal for Canada and the rest to airstrike some parts there, the battle region will be expanded to Syria.
Harper also clarified that Canada's airstrikes against ISIS will only be in countries where there is government support for the attack.
Canada is sending six CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft, managed by at least 320 crew and other personnel. One CC-150 Polaris and two CP140 Aurora surveillance aircraft will also be deployed for air-to-air refueling with the help of about 280 air crew and other personnel.
"Let me be clear on the objectives of this intervention," Harper said in his speech. "We intend to significantly degrade the capabilities of [ISIS]. Specifically, its ability either to engage in military movements of scale, or to operate bases in the open."
Whether Canada airstrikes ISIS or not is still left at the hands of then higher-ups. A vote on the motion is to be conducted on Monda, according to CTV News Canada.
As early as now, the motion that Canada will be joining the airstrikes against ISIS has critics and opposing parties.
Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau has already expressed that his party will not agree with the motion.
On the other hand, New Democratic Party leader Tom Mulcair is not against the idea of supporting the allies of its countries, but he is critical on the idea that their government will be involved.
"The tragedy in Iraq and Syria will not end with another Western-led invasion in that region," Mulcair said. "Canada for our part should not rush into this war."
"I think Canadians have a lot more to offer than that," Trudeau opined. "We can be resourceful, and there are significant, substantial non-combat roles Canada can play."
Although Trudeau's party may be opposing the motion for Canada too airstrike ISIS militants in Iraq, the Conservatives under Harper holds the majority of the seats in the House of Commons so it is very likely that the Canada's involvement in the ISIS battle will be realized.
Meanwhile, retired Maj.-Gen Lewis MacKenzie said that Canada's air support strategy against ISIS militants will only succeed if enough missions will be flown each day.
MacKenzie clarified that based on what he has heard so far the airstrikes against ISIS is only being carried out for only two hours a day, which for him is not enough to restrict the movement of the militants.
"We have aircraft flying with half-million-dollar missiles taking out a truck with two people in it," Mackenzie said. "That's not very effective."
Despite the strategy of Canada to airstrike ISIS, Harper ensured everyone that the country will be providing "urgent humanitarian assistance" to civilians in the war-torn regions.
It can be noted that in August, the federal government has provided $5 million in emergency supplies and humanitarian aid to almost 850,000 civilians in Iraq.
"We will continue to work closely with our allies so that we can continue to support civilians, particularly religious minorities," International Development Minister Christian Paradis quipped.
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