Canada confirms end of Iraq bombing mission

CANADA’S Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has  confirmed an election promise to  withdraw the six fighter jets that have been deployed in Iraq to fight the Islamic State (IS) but added that it will step up its military efforts against the terrorist organization .

“We will continue involved militarily, but we will withdraw our bombers because we have talked to Canadians. And we will take strong action against the Islamic State in an appropriate way for Canada,” said Trudeau in the Canadian House of Commons..

Canada has deployed to Iraq six CF-18 fighter bombers since 2014 as part of the of  the coalition against IS
The deployment was ordered by the previous conservative government of Stephen Harper, whose party lost the general elections October 19.
The Liberal Party, Trudeau, whose Liberal party won the elections, promised during the election campaign to withdraw the bombers and transform the Canadian military contribution to increasing  the training of Iraqi forces fighting IS.
Trudeau said that Canada is in talks with its allies “to determine how best Canada can remain involved and helping, as we will withdraw our CF-18 aircraft.”
The Conservative Party has described the withdrawal as a capitulation to the Islamic state, but analysis of missions against the group indicated that Canadian fighter bombers represent only 2.7% of the flights of the Western coalition.
Canada has also deployed in Iraq about 70 special forces members  officially on a training mission , although, according to Canadian media , they are participating in combat tasks against IS