Canadian Lawmakers Endorse Airstrikes on ISIL Targets in Syria

The office of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that the Canadian parliament has endorsed the government's plan to launch airstrikes against ISIL targets in Syria, in addition to its military participation in Iraq bombing raids.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Canadian parliament has endorsed the government's plan to launch airstrikes against Islamist State (ISIL) targets in Syria, in addition to its military participation in Iraq bombing raids, the office of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said.

"We cannot stand on the sidelines while ISIL continues to promote terrorism in Canada as well as against our allies and partners, nor can we allow ISIL to have a safe haven in Syria," the statement said.

The motion has extended Canada's military mission against the violent ISIL militant group for up to 12 months to the end of March 2016.

Canada has around 70 troops stationed in northern Iraq and regularly flies warplanes to pound ISIL positions in this country as part of the US-led coalition.