Canadian Special Forces aim to deliver weapons to Kurdistan 'as soon as possible'

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Canadian Special Forces are now directly overseeing the $9.5 million CAD ($7.5 million USD) worth “urgent” purchase of weapons and other equipment for Kurdish forces, according to reports.

While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in February 2016 Canada would provide the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga with weapons, the military has said it “has no idea when the gear might be delivered.”

Due to the urgent nature of the purchase, Canadian Special Forces are handling the acquisition and recommending specific firms from which to buy the equipment, reported the National Post.

“There is no standard, predetermined process or timeline for an equipment acquisition of this complexity,” the Canadian Department of National Defense (DND) and the Canadian Commercial Corporation, a Crown corporation, said in a statement.

“Given the ongoing situation on the ground, the requirements are urgent and operational,” they added. “For this reason, contracts have been awarded on a sole-source basis.”

Peshmerga forces were the first line of defense against the Islamic State (IS) when it emerged in northern Iraq in 2014 despite limited resources and outdated equipment.

Over 1,700 Peshmerga have fallen so far, and over 10,000 have been injured in the fight against the militant group.

DND confirmed the total cost of the equipment being purchased is $9.5 million CAD.

The delivery would include .50-calibre sniper rifles equipped with silencers, 60mm mortars and anti-tank systems, as well as grenade launchers, pistols, carbines, thermal binoculars, cameras, scopes, and medical supplies.

Although the timeline for the purchases isn’t known, DND said the aim is to deliver the items as quickly as possible.

Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan also noted the delay was not due to resistance from the Iraqi or Turkish governments despite the arming of Kurds being a point of contention in the region.

“The government of Canada is taking all reasonable steps to ensure that the government of Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government of Iraq provide assurances that this equipment will be used in an appropriate manner,” Canadian Forces spokesman Col. Jay Janzen added in a statement.

Kurdish leaders have previously stated the weapons are needed both to defend against the threat of IS and to protect an independent Kurdistan.

A referendum on Kurdish independence is scheduled for Sept. 25.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany