Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan was on an unannounced trip to Baghdad to discuss Canada’s role in fighting the so-called Islamic State, but the covert nature of his trip ended when Iraqi officials posted video of the visit to YouTube Monday.
Jordan Owens, a spokeswoman for the minister, said Sajjan arrived in Iraq after attending the recent NATO summit in Warsaw, Poland.
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Owens said the defence minister is meeting with Iraqi and Kurdish officials about “Canada’s ongoing contribution” to the global fight against ISIS.
U.S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter was also in Baghdad Monday, where he announced the United States will send 560 more troops as Iraq prepares for a major offensive to recapture Mosul from ISIS militants.
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The Liberal government announced in May that it was expanding its contribution to the fight against ISIS to include three CH-146 Griffon helicopters, an intelligence centre and additional trainers to what is called Operation IMPACT.
It said that would triple the size of Canada’s mission to train, advise and help Iraqi security forces plan and conduct military operations against ISIS.
*With files from the Canadian Press
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