Canada Joins Airstrikes Against the 'Islamic State' in Syria

Canadian lawmakers voted on Monday, March 30, to expand the country's airstrikes against the 'Islamic State' in Syrian territory; Canada has been conducting operations against this group's positions in Iraq, alongside members of the U.S.-led coalition. According to Agence France-Presse, Stephen Harper, the Conservative Prime Minister of Canada, secured the necessary vote for the strikes in the House of Commons, an action that faced 'strong opposition' from the government's opposition parties. Mr. Harper stated, 'Our government believes we must take action to support against terrorist threats to Canadians, both at home and abroad.' The Prime Minister of Canada said that his country would continue to fight the 'Islamic State' abroad as long as it remains a threat. The Canadian military joined the U.S.-led international coalition for airstrikes in Iraq against the 'Islamic State' in November of last year. On November 1, Rob Nicholson, Canada's Minister of Defense, announced that the air force had participated in its first attack in Iraq. Now, Canadian lawmakers have extended the timeline for the strikes until March of next year. In October of last year, prior to Canada's airstrikes in Iraq, a shooting occurred in the Canadian Parliament building in Ottawa, resulting in the death of a Canadian soldier guarding the Parliament and the shooter. Just two days prior, a 25-year-old Canadian citizen, reportedly converted to Islam and radicalized, ran over two Canadian soldiers in the 'Quebec' area, killing one of them. According to Canadian media reports, at least six Canadian citizens who had joined the Islamic State have been killed in Syria; John Maguire, a 23-year-old student, three Somali-heritage individuals, and two brothers from Calgary. Agence France-Presse cites polls indicating that after the attacks in Quebec and Ottawa, the majority of Canadian citizens support military operations against the 'Islamic State.'