Canada set to end bombing campaign against ISIS

[Justin]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/...b04f9b57dac1c4

"The people terrorized by (Islamic State) every day don't need our vengeance, they need our help," said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday Canada would pull out six jets that have been bombing targets in Iraq and Syria, ending a controversial combat role in the fight against Islamic State.

Trudeau's Liberals won an election last October promising to withdraw the jets but came under pressure from allies who feared the decision could weaken efforts to combat the militant group. Bombing began in November 2014 under the previous Conservative government.

"We can't do everything .. we were guided by our desire to do what we could do best to help in the region and to do it in the right way," Trudeau told a news conference.

"The people terrorized by (Islamic State) every day don't need our vengeance, they need our help."

Canada will end its bombing missions by Feb. 22 but keep two surveillance planes in the region as well as refueling aircraft, and triple the number of soldiers training Kurdish troops in northern Iraq to about 200.

Officials in the United States welcomed the announcement, which came after sustained diplomatic pressure from major allies to persuade Canada to do as much as possible.

"I'm confident we are going to continue to have discussions with the Canadians about additional steps they can take to further enhance our counter-ISIL efforts," said White House spokesman John Earnest.

He said Trudeau had talked to Obama on Monday. The two will meet in Washington next month.

Canada's decision came as the Syrian army advanced towards the Turkish border on Monday in an offensive backed by Russia and Iran.

Trudeau said the new mission would be engaged for at least two years and then be re-evaluated. The best way to promote long-term stability was to help local people fight to get their territory back, he added.

Canadians' appetite for foreign military missions dropped after 10 years of involvement in Afghanistan that ended in 2011, during which 158 soldiers were killed.

Last March, one Canadian soldier died and three others were injured in a friendly fire incident in Iraq.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan conceded there would still be risks for the trainers.

"This is a conflict zone and a very high threat environment," he said by phone.

Opinion polls show Canadians are sharply divided over the role of the armed forces in the fight against Islamic State.

The Conservatives said the announcement was "a shameful step backward" from Canada's military tradition.



I wouldn't be surprised if we start seeing more of our allies pulling out of the bombing campaign as well. I think this has more to do with the costs of the campaign rather than "helping the people of Iraq." We shouldn't have to fight these barbaric ISIS scum ourselves. Typical liberal POS.

[imanaknut]

I try to imagine what ISIS would be like if the million refugees each took up arms and fought back. I guess to some the idea of fighting for your homeland is a foreign idea.

[Justin]

I try to imagine what ISIS would be like if the million refugees each took up arms and fought back. I guess to some the idea of fighting for your homeland is a foreign idea.

I think the ones who were opposed to ISIS are either fighting the Syrian government, or are allied with Al-Qaeda. The so called moderate rebels are currently getting slaughtered in Aleppo by the Syrian government and it's Russian, Iranian, and Hezbollah allies. Soon, the only sides that will be left will be Al Assad and ISIS.

[Sherman]

He said Trudeau had talked to Obama on Monday. The two will meet in Washington next month.

There you go. Everything he touches turns to shit. Nothing new. Good luck Canada.....you pussies.

[Justin]

There you go. Everything he touches turns to shit. Nothing new. Good luck Canada.....you pussies.

Trudeau already had this set in his mind even before he became PM. Obama on the other hand should put some serious pressure on him to stay in the campaign. Like I said earlier, I think you'll start seeing some other nations pulling out of the bombing campaign as well in the near future. America shouldn't have to stand alone in this fight.

[alismith]

Trudeau already had this set in his mind even before he became PM. Obama on the other hand should put some serious pressure on him to stay in the campaign. Like I said earlier, I think you'll start seeing some other nations pulling out of the bombing campaign as well in the near future. America shouldn't have to stand alone in this fight.

Why on Earth would Obama do that? He doesn't want his muslim brothers hurt or killed. He's already doing all he can to limit the pressure on them.

If he had his way, the US would be their biggest ally, supplying ISIS with arms, funding, and military technology.

[5.56NATO]

I think the ones who were opposed to ISIS are either fighting the Syrian government, or are allied with Al-Qaeda. The so called moderate rebels are currently getting slaughtered in Aleppo by the Syrian government and it's Russian, Iranian, and Hezbollah allies. Soon, the only sides that will be left will be Al Assad and ISIS.

Maybe not. The Saudis and Turks are gearing up for a push into Syria by their land forces. Then the west will get involved wich will put them in contact with Russian forces. I can't see this retardedness not starting ww3.

[alismith]

Maybe not. The Saudis and Turks are gearing up for a push into Syria by their land forces. Then the west will get involved wich will put them in contact with Russian forces. I can't see this retardedness not starting ww3.

It, probably, will follow along the lines of the Vietnam War. Proxy countries will wage war in a limited area and it won't spill out anywhere else. This way, each side can test its new technologies against the opposing side without risking a "homeland invasion."

It's a win-win for each side, except for those directly involved. They'll pay the highest price (including the soldiers sent in by the proxy countries).