Canada is sending military advisers to Iraq to help counter the growing threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL
The contribution is in addition to the two Canadian military cargo planes that are ferrying weapons to Kurdish fighters.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the deployment of the “several dozen” advisers Friday at the NATO summit in Wales.
A government release termed Canada’s contribution “an advisory and assistance role” aimed at preventing an escalation of the humanitarian crisis in the region.
It said the initial deployment will be for a period of up to 30 days and “will be reassessed after that time.” Iraq must sill give its final consent to Canada’s offer.
Meanwhile, the NATO leaders, including Mr. Harper, approved plans Friday to post several thousand troops in Eastern Europe to serve as rapid reaction force to counter Russian interference in the region.
Canada has already dispatched a frigate and fighter jets to reassure its NATO allies, but it remains unclear what further action Canada might take.
The Wales summit came as peace talks involving Ukraine, Russia and pro-Russian rebels began Friday in Minsk, Belarus.
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