OTTAWA - Defence Minister Jason Kenney says Canadian jets struck a militant staging area in Syria on Wednesday.

Kenney says the two CF-18 aircraft used precision-guided weapons in the attack and the planes returned safely.

Canadian jets have been hitting targets in Iraq connected to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant since last fall, but have only recently starting bombing in Syria.

The air element includes six CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft, a Polaris aerial refueller and two Aurora surveillance aircraft.

About 600 Canadian Forces personnel are deployed as part of the operation.

Since last fall, the Canadian planes have flown more than 900 sorties, including 600 involving CF-18s.