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Canadian special forces in Iraq are now involved in the battle of Hawija, an offensive against ISIL extremists which started early Thursday.

Iraqi and coalition troops hope to push the forces of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant from the city of 150,000, one of the extremist group’s last remaining strongholds in the country.

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The Canadian Forces isn’t releasing details about the numbers of Canadians involved, but the head of Canadian special forces said Hawija is now the major focus of his personnel in Iraq.

In an interview with the Ottawa Citizen on Thursday, Maj. Gen. Mike Rouleau, head of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, said his soldiers have been involved in planning for the battle and will advise and assist Iraqi troops.

Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand

“They won’t be in the vanguard,” Rouleau said, citing the rules that have governed Canadian troops during their time in Iraq. But he said Canadian special forces can use lethal force to protect themselves or their Iraqi counterparts if needed. In the past, Canadian commandos have directed air strikes and launched anti-tank missiles against ISIL forces. Canadian snipers have also targeted ISIL troops.