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Some civilians have reportedly also died in the attacks.

But while the prime minister said the government will make a final decision on whether to expand Canada’s military mission “within the next few days,” he added that he doesn’t want to become embroiled in a long, drawn-out conflict with no end in sight.

“We will obviously look carefully at steps that we believe would not leave us there in a quagmire for years,” he said. “That is something all governments are going to avoid.”

Harper refused to be drawn out on what type of mission cabinet is contemplating, including whether Canadian warplanes could be flying over and attacking targets in Syria as well as Iraq. He also wouldn’t speculate on how long the fight against ISIL would take. U.S. President Barack Obama has suggested the effort could take up to three years.

Harper did say, however, that the objective is to “get us to the point where this organization does not have the capacity to launch” attacks in the Middle East or against the West.

The prime minister’s comments came after senior military, intelligence and diplomatic officials briefed the cabinet about how Canada can step up its participation in the fight against ISIL. Defence chief Gen. Tom Lawson would not reveal what he told the ministers, including whether he recommended Canada participate in the U.S.-led bombing campaign.

Canada currently has 69 military advisers working with Iraqi and Kurdish forces in northern Iraq. The government initially set a 30-day deadline on that mission, which expires on Oct. 5. But the U.S. has asked Canada to contribute more, and it’s been widely reported the request entails the deployment of fighter jets, refuelling aircraft and surveillance planes.