Canadian Troops Backing Coalition Fight in Iraq Against Daesh

Canada is supporting the US-led coalition against Daesh with training, intelligence and aviation support and medical assistance, Jordan Owens, a spokeswoman for Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan, told Sputnik.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — "Canada continues to support our coalition partners through efforts that include an expanded train, advise and assist mission with local security forces; intelligence capabilities; ongoing tactical aviation support; and further leading a Coalition Role 2 medical facility," Owens said Tuesday.

The Iraqi government, backed by coalition forces, launched an operation on Monday to retake the city of Mosul from Daesh.

Canada is a member of the 62-nation coalition and has provided significant capacity-building support for the Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Peshmerga troops.

Earlier this month, Canadian Joint Operations Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Bowes said Ottawa had intensified intelligence efforts to help the coalition target Daesh fighters and installations in Iraq.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said Canadian forces will not conduct airstrikes.

Sajjan said in July that up to 60 additional medical personnel would deploy to Erbil to head coalition medical operations.