Canadian CF-18 Hornets have conducted their first airstrikes in Syria since the Parliament had voted to extend and expand the military mission against the Islamic State militants.
In a news release, the Department of the National Defence said that the two Canadian CF-18s used precision-guided munitions to strike a ISIS garrison near Ar Raqqah, Syria.
“ A total of 10 coalition aircraft, including six of the aircraft from the US were involved in this Airstrike,” the release had said.
Following the airstrike, the Canadian Armed Force safely returned to base.
“Though this was the first Airstrike in Syria since the mission expansion, it was not first air sortie,” the DND said in release, adding that three previous sorties have taken place over the war torn country.
MPs voted 142-129 last week to extend Canada military campaign against ISIS in Iraq and expand the mission into the Syria. The extension in effect until the end of the March 2016, does not include the additional troops or military aircraft.
The Opposition had slammed the Conservative government for authorizing airstrikes in Syria, saying Canadian Forces will be essentially assisting Syrian dictator Bashar Al-Assaad.
But the Tories have denied that the case, saying Canada has duty to act against the ISIS as it establishes strongholds in Syria.
Last fall, the House voted to send 69 special forces soldiers, 600 military personnels, CF-18 fighter-bomber and two surveillance planes to fight ISIS in Iraq.
Defence Minister Jason Kenney has said that Canada’s war in Iraq and Syria is expected to cost more than half a billion dollars by this time next year.
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