After joining the coalition on Thursday, Canada launched its first airstrikes against ISIS. The Canadian troops dropped bombs on Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) positions in Iraq for the first time Sunday.
Two CF-18 fighter jets of Canada made their first airstrikes on ISIS targets on Sunday. The Toronto Sun reported 500-pound laser-guided bombs were used in a mission in the area of Fallujah in central Iraq. Defense Minister Rob Nicholson stated it was a coordinated attack and the first combat assault since joining the coalition on Oct 30.
Nicholson added the airstrikes on west of Baghdad involved a four-hour mission that included air-to-air refueling of the two fighters jets from Canada's C-150 Polaris aircraft. CBC News reported all aircraft made it safely back to base in Kuwait.
The combat mission that started with the first patrols last week has been carried out under a heavy blanket of secrecy with the Canadian military denying media access to the bases, citing security issues for their Kuwaiti hosts. The jets that flew the sortie are part of a contingent of six CF-18s, two CP-140 Aurora surveillance aircraft and the Polaris operating out air bases in Kuwait.
It was the first time Canadian fighter jets have struck ISIS targets since arriving at the base on Oct. 30 to join the US-led coalition currently conducting airstrikes in Iraq and Syria. In the campaign known as "Operation Inherent Resolve," aircraft and personnel from the UK, Australia, France and multiple Gulf states are also participating.
According to the US Central Command, coalition aircraft hit ISIS positions in five separate attacks near the border town of Kobani over the weekend. Al Arabiya reported the airstrikes hit five small ISIS units and destroyed three ISIS vehicles.
The Canada-orchestrated airstrikes came as French President Francois Hollande visited Canada. The Canadian air presence over Iraq has been limited to six months but could be extended at the end of that period. About 600 personnel are involved in the mission.
The defense ministry explained the airstrikes demonstrates Canada's strong resolve to tackle the threat of terrorism and to stand with allies against ISIS' atrocities against innocent children, women and men.
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