A Royal Canadian Air Force airliner has completed its first delivery of military equipment to security forces in Iraq who are fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Our Canadian Air Force is working in concert with several of our nation’s allies (including the United Kingdom, the Republic of Albania and the United States) to provide this critical aid.
ISIL is a direct threat to peace in security in the region and represents a serious menace to global safety.
The military equipment delivered will help to protect displaced Iraqis and improve the precarious situation innocent Iraq find themselves in.
“In coordination with our Allies, Canada is taking action with the Government of Iraq to counter ISIL’s barbaric activities and expansionist agenda which are further destabilizing the region and posing a very real threat to global security,” announced Prime Minister Harper. “The air support we are providing will ensure security forces on the ground have the weapons they need to defend innocent Iraqi civilians against these terrorists.”
Since the beginning of 2014, our government has allocated over $21 million to support humanitarian efforts in Iraq, with nearly $12 million earmarked for supporting populations affected by civil unrest and nearly $10 million set aside to aid Syrian refugees.
ISIL has been carrying out a murderous rampage in northern Iraq since the early part of this year, seizing territory and systematically killing men, women and children. More than one million Iraqis have been displaced by ISIL.
By working with our allies to provide arms to those fighting ISIL we can help to bring stability to the region and stop the displacement and murder of innocent Iraqi citizens. The aid provided to refugees can help re-build lives and thwart the aims of ISIL.
