The Department of National Defence says Canadian Forces have taken out a piece of ISIS artillery, as they carried out additional airstrikes in Iraq.
The airstrikes involved CF-18 fighter jets dropping a laser-guided bomb on an area near Baiji, Iraq, located about 200 kilometres north of Baghdad, and considered to be a stronghold for Islamic State militants.
Defence Minister Rob Nicholson issued a statement about the strike Tuesday, commending the 鈥渃ourageous dedication鈥� of Canadian Forces members.
"On this Remembrance Day, we reflect on the service and sacrifice of our veterans and serving members for their courageous dedication to our country. I also commend the nearly 600 men and women in uniform for their tremendous work today in the international fight to degrade ISIL,鈥� he said.
鈥淭his strike demonstrates Canada's firm resolve to tackle the threat of terrorism and stand with our allies against ISIL's atrocities against innocent women, children and men."
A total of 18 airstrikes were conducted in Iraq between Nov. 7-10, including seven near Baiji, according to a recent statement by the U.S. Department of Defense, who is leading the coalition mission against ISIS.
The statement says those seven airstrikes struck 鈥渢hree small ISIL units, and destroyed an ISIL sniper position and two ISIL vehicles, one of which was used for construction.鈥�
The U.S. statement goes onto say, that all aircraft 鈥渄eparted the strike areas safely鈥� and 鈥渁irstrike assessments are based on initial reports.鈥�
Canada officially joined the fight against ISIS earlier this month, dropping laser-guided bombs to destroy heavy engineering and construction equipment being used by militants who were trying to interfere with a major dam on the Euphrates River.
Canada has contributed six CF-18 fighter jets, two CP-140 Aurora surveillance planes, the C-150 refuelling jet and approximately 600 personnel to the multinational anti-ISIS mission. CF members involved in the six-month mission 鈥� dubbed Operation Impact 鈥� are based in Kuwait.
A technical briefing on the latest strike is scheduled for Thursday.
With files from The Canadian Press
