Update

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) conducts multiple operations in the Middle East as part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to enhance regional stability and promote the rules based international order.

Over the past several months the environment in Iraq has shifted considerably. The spread of COVID-19 has caused the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) to suspend all training activities, which has led to an operational pause for both the Global Coalition to Defeat Da’esh and NATO Mission Iraq (NMI).

Because the duration of this operational pause is unknown, the CAF has decided to reposition personnel and equipment from Iraq, leaving minimal forces in the country as part of Operation IMPACT and NMI. We will remain postured to redeploy these forces as part of the Coalition and NATO when the conditions are right to do so, but this decision will see approximately 400 personnel redeploy to Canada.

By early April, less than 100 CAF personnel will remain in Iraq as part of the Coalition and NMI. This will include Special Operations Forces personnel, a small number of CAF personnel who will continue to support Canada’s command of NMI, several staff officers with CJTF-OIR headquarters as well as our Defence Attaché and staff.

Operation IMPACT will persist, with our Joint Task Force Impact headquarters continuing to operate in Kuwait, the continued operation of CC-130J Hercules aircraft to conduct theatre sustainment and movement. We will resume our capacity building efforts in Jordan and Lebanon once COVID-19 no longer poses a risk to our force. In the immediate term, our priority remains the safety and security of our women and men in uniform and the continuity of our operations where possible.