Article content continued

While striking fear into its opponents, ISIS’s tactics have also helped galvanize the international community to move against the extremists. France has already joined the U.S.-led effort in Iraq, and is considering expanding its role to Syria as well. The Netherlands, too, has said it would take part in the bombing campaign in Iraq.

Denmark, Belgium and Britain all signed on as well on Friday. Denmark said it would send seven F-16 fighter jets and 250 pilots and support staff, while Belgium will contribute six F-16s that are already en route to Jordan so they can go into action as early as Saturday.

[np_storybar title=”Any Canadian combat mission against ISIS would be put to vote in Parliament: Baird

” link=”http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/09/25/any-canadian-combat-mission-against-isis-would-be-put-to-vote-in-parliament-baird/”]

Any expansion of Canada’s role in the war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Al-Sham that would involve direct combat such as air strikes would be brought to Parliament for a vote, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Thursday.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper revealed Wednesday that the United States recently asked that Canada expand its role in Iraq. Neither country has revealed the nature of the request or whether it includes participation in air strikes.

“If there was a combat mission I think the prime minister has been very clear, it would go before Parliament for a vote,” Mr. Baird told reporters. “That has not changed. I think air strikes would be [a combat mission].”