Canada halts military aid to Iraqi forces, Peshmerga amid clashes

The Canadian military on Friday suspended its support to both Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmerga following the outbreak of hostilities between the two sides in the past weeks.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Canadian military on Friday suspended its support to both Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmerga following the outbreak of hostilities between the two sides in the past weeks.

For the past few years, Canadian Special Forces have provided various military support to the Kurdish and Iraqi forces as part of the fight against the Islamic State (IS) in the country.

The military aid includes training, advice, and assistance to both troops.

Peshmerga and Iraqi forces have been allies in the fight against the militant group; however, the Iraqi troops and Iranian-backed Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militia recently attacked the Kurdistan Region and took control of the oil-rich province of Kirkuk and other disputed territories.

Since Oct. 16, the clashes have been ongoing between both sides following Kurdistan’s Sep. 25 independence referendum.

Canadian forces will continue to support the US-led coalition against IS through the provision of medical aid, intelligence, and transportation, military officials said on Friday.

A representative for the Canadian Special Forces said they would not provide any training or assistance to Peshmerga and Iraqi forces until the two sides address their disputes and end the conflict.

“Given the fluidity of the current situation, Canada’s Special Operations Task Force has temporarily suspended the provision of assistance to various elements of Iraqi security forces,” spokesperson Col. Jay Janzen said.

“Once more clarity exists regarding the interrelationships of Iraqi security forces and the key priorities and tasks going forward, the task force will resume activities,” he added.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has refused to take sides in the conflict and instead called on both Erbil and Baghdad to begin a dialogue and resolve their issues.

 

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany