The Canadian Forces has temporarily suspended its training activities in Iraq as tensions in that country continue to rise following the U.S. assassination of a top Iranian general.

The temporary halt affects Canadian military personnel in Iraq involved in Operation Impact, including Canadian special forces involved in training Iraqi personnel, Department of National Defence sources said. The move also includes Canadian military engineers who are training Iraqis on counter improvised explosive techniques. The DND has not released details about the number of Canadian military personnel who are in Iraq and assigned to Operation Impact.

Sources say the personnel will not be withdrawn, but will focus on “force protection” arrangements, meaning they are going to increase their own security at the bases where they operate.

“The NATO mission and Operation IMPACT’s mandate remain the same, but all training activities in Iraq are suspended temporarily as we continue to monitor the security environment,” Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said in a statement issued Saturday. “We are taking all necessary precautions for the safety and security of our civilian and military personnel.”

NATO has also temporarily shut down the training of Iraqi forces, a separate mission led by Canadian Maj.-Gen. Jennie Carignan. Some 200 Canadians are assigned to that mission, which also involves members from other NATO nations. NATO’s training activities are carried out at the Iraqi military schools in the Baghdad areas, Taji and Besmaya.

“The safety of our personnel in Iraq is paramount,” acting NATO spokesman Dylan White said in a statement. “We continue to take all precautions necessary. NATO’s mission is continuing, but training activities are temporarily suspended.”

Iran has vowed to avenge the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, head of its elite Quds Force, early Friday. The general and a top Iraqi militia leader were being driven to an airport when they were killed by a missile launched from a U.S. drone.

Some kind of retaliation is expected, with the most likely targets being U.S. forces.

Sajjan said he had spoken on Friday with U.S. Secretary of Defence Mark Esper. Sajjan said the focus remained on the safety of Canadian troops and other Canadians in the region. “Canada continues to urge restraint and de-escalation,” he added in a statement.

Canada has 850 military personnel throughout the Middle East.

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