Canadian First

From the G & M:

"Canadian soldiers in Iraq told to shoot first if they detect ‘hostile intent’"

 

Canadian soldiers are authorized to shoot first in Iraq as soon as they detect “hostile intent” from Islamic State fighters, MPs were told Tuesday as the House of Commons approved the Trudeau government’s enlarged and more dangerous ground deployment there. The Liberal-dominated House of Commons approved the revised fight against Islamic State, with a motion passing by a margin of 178-147. The government has withdrawn CF-18 fighters from the aerial war against the jihadis and expanded Canada’s ground commitment of special-forces soldiers to 220 from 69. It has also committed to giving small arms and ammunition to forces batting Islamic State. But the rules of engagement are fuelling more controversy among critics who argue this operation does not sound like the “non-combat” role pledged by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Liberals, who made a campaign promise to “end Canada’s combat mission” in Iraq, are determined to frame the enlarged commitment as something other than combat. General Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff, was asked Tuesday to explain to the Commons defence committee what rules govern Canada’s elite troops in Iraq. The Canadians are providing advise-and-assist leadership to Kurdish peshmerga fighters battling Islamic State forces and this includes spending significant time on the front lines with troops. Soldiers are also authorized to direct air strikes from the ground in aid of the U.S.-led air campaign. The general told MPs the Canadian mission is “largely defensive” but troops are given licence to take the first shot when necessary. “The rules of engagement … allow Canadian forces to defend themselves, [to] anticipate their defence so they can engage a hostile act … or an intent before it materializes,” Gen. Vance said. “In other words … we can anticipate to protect ourselves.” A military spokesman declined Tuesday to say how long this shoot-first rule has been in effect. Troops have been in Iraq since the fall of 2014 but rules of engagement are modified from time to time. The military says Canadian soldiers are not in combat in Iraq because they are not deliberately partaking in offensive operation. A spokesman for the Department of National Defence said soldiers have been in firefights with Islamic State opponents four times since the fall of 2014. Those voting in the Commons Tuesday included former prime minister Stephen Harper, whose Conservative government first deployed Canadian Armed Forces against Islamic State in 2014.

 

 

^ I knew the minute Trudeau's government announced the withdrawal of Canadian troops from combat against ISIS it wasn't really going to happen. Nor should it. If anything, Canada and the majority of nations around the world need to do MORE (not less) in the fight against ISIS rather than expect the United States to always keep them protected and safe. Sometimes you have to put your "big boy/girl pants on" and do something yourself. This is clearly one of those times. An ISIS terrorist is not going to care if they kill a Canadian solider or citizen they are just going to kill anyone who doesn't subscribe to their extremist views. And of course Canadian troops should be allowed to shoot at anyone suspected of trying to hurt or kill them. This isn't some little stroll around a park in Nova Scotia or Quebec. This is trying to stop known terrorists from gaining more ground and supporters. Anyone who believes otherwise has their head in the sand. ^

 

 

 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadian-soldiers-can-shoot-first-against-islamic-state-threats/article29070546/