OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Canada said Thursday its military is set to deploy up to 60 medical staff to Iraq to run a field hospital for the international coalition fighting the Islamic State group.
“As part of our ongoing commitment, Canada will soon deploy up to 60 medical personnel who will be leading a medical facility alongside coalition partners in northern Iraq,” Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said in a statement following a meeting in Washington with other coalition members.
Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion added: “Canada is proud to be contributing to all military and civilian lines of effort of the coalition. This type of integrated approach is essential to help secure long-term stability in the region.”
The medical personnel will join Canadian special forces and trainers already deployed to Iraq as part of the fight against IS.
Canada withdrew from the coalition’s bombing campaign in March following the election of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but Ottawa still provides CP-140 Aurora surveillance and CC-150T Polaris refueling aircraft to the effort.
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