Canadian warplanes conduct first airstrikes in Syria against ISIS

Two CF-18 Hornets prepare to resume their activities after being refueled by a CC-150 Polaris during Operation Impact on Feb. 4, 2015. (Canadian Forces Combat Camera / Department of National Defence)

Canadian CF-18 Hornets have conducted their first airstrikes in Syria since Parliament voted to extend and expand the military mission against Islamic State militants.

In a news release, the Department of National Defence said two Canadian CF-18s used precision-guided munitions to strike an ISIS garrison near Ar Raqqah, Syria.

“A total of 10 coalition aircraft, including six aircraft from the US were involved in this airstrike,” the release said.

Following the airstrike, the Canadian Armed Forces safely returned to base.

“Though this was the first airstrike in Syria since the mission expansion, it was not the first air sortie,” the DND said in the release, adding that three previous sorties have taken place over the war-torn country.

MPs voted 142-129 last week to extend Canada’s military campaign against ISIS in Iraq and expand the mission into Syria. The extension, in effect until the end of March 2016, does not include additional troops or military aircraft.

The Opposition has slammed the Conservative government for authorizing airstrikes in Syria, saying Canadian Forces will essentially be assisting Syrian dictator Bashar Al-Assad.

But the Tories have denied that’s the case, saying Canada has a duty to act against ISIS as it establishes strongholds in Syria.

Last fall, the House voted to send 69 special forces soldiers, 600 military personnel, CF-18 fighter-bombers and two surveillance planes to fight ISIS in Iraq.

Defence Minister Jason Kenney has said that Canada’s war in Iraq and Syria is expected to cost more than half a billion dollars by this time next year.

With files from The Canadian Press