Canadian fighters finish 1st military strike against ISIL in Iraq

Canada's CF-18 hornet fighters conducted their first combat strike Monday since joining the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on Oct. 30, Canadian Minister of National Defense Rob Nicholson said Monday.

"Today's strike demonstrates our government's firm resolve to tackle the threat of terrorism and to stand with our allies against ISIL's atrocities against innocent women, children and men, " said the minister in a statement.

Coordinated with its coalition partners, two CF-18s attacked ISIL targets with GBU12 500 lb laser guided bombs in the vicinity of Fallujah, Iraq. The approximately four-hour mission included air-to-air refueling from Canada's Polaris aircraft. All aircraft returned safely to their base.

In June this year, Iraq was added to the list of Canada's development country partners. Two months later, Canada provided Iraqi security forces with military equipment to fight against ISIL, which has been carrying out a murderous rampage in northern Iraq since early this year.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in the Parliament in August that ISIL is a threat not only to peace and security in the region, but to global security as well.

Late last month, six Canadian CF-18 hornet fighters flew to Kuwait to join in military strike against ISIL in Iraq. Enditem