Canada drops its first bombs on Islamic State targets
Canada dropped its first missiles on Islamic State targets on Sunday, aiming bombs at marks near Fallouja, Iraq, Canadian officials announced.
Two CF-18 fighter jets dropped the 500-pound laser-guided bombs in a mission that took about four hours, Rob Nicholson, Canada’s minister of national defense, said on Twitter. Nicholson did not describe the targets or say how many they were or whether they were hit.
Canada is part of the U.S.-led coalition that formed in September to oppose the extremist group.
U.S. warplanes have conducted airstrikes against Islamic State targets in support of the Iraqi army and affiliated militias since Aug. 8. In addition to Canada, allies in the effort include Britain, France, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain and Qatar.
Islamic State militants have carried out beheadings, crucifixions and mass shootings as they have taken control of parts of Iraq and Syria and declared an Islamic caliphate. The group’s tactics against other Muslims whom it considers heretics are so savage that Al Qaeda’s leaders disowned Islamic State this year.
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