Canada to Deploy Helicopters to Iraq, Syria for Troops Transportation

Canada will deploy small helicopter detachment to provide reliable transportation for troops, equipment and material in Iraq and Syria, according to Canada’s Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Canada intends to deploy helicopters to Iraq and Syria in order to provide reliable transportation for its forces operating under US-led coalition against the Islamic State, also known as Daesh, Canada’s Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said on Thursday.

"We will deploy small helicopter detachment to provide reliable transportation for our troops, equipment and our material," Sajjan stated at a Defence Conference in Ottawa.

The helicopter deployment exemplifies Canada’s new approach toward supporting US-led efforts against the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) terrorists in Iraq and Syria.

Earlier on Thursday, Ottawa announced that it had concluded airstrikes against Daesh. Now Canada would continue supporting the US-led coalition by providing aircraft for refueling and surveillance purposes, and training local military forces.

Canada had been conducting airstrikes again the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq in coordination with the coalition since 2014.

The Islamic State, also known as Daesh, is a designated terrorist group that has been outlawed by the United States, Russia as well as numerous other countries.