ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Deputy Peshmerga Minister Anwar Haji Osman has confirmed the role of Kurdish forces in the looming campaign to liberate the city of Mosul, the self-proclaimed capital of the Islamic State, and has urged Canada to supply support and heavy weapons.
“Daesh militias in Mosul are a tangible threat to the Kurds. We will participate in the battle for Mosul,” Osman said on Saturday, using the Arabic acronym for ISIS.
Speaking after the arrival in Erbil of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Osman praised Canada as "among the first countries who have been helping the Kurds in their fight against ISIS.”
Canada, a member of the international coalition formed to fight ISIS in Iraq and Syria, has reportedly deployed dozens of Canadian Armed Forces and many tons of military supplies to Iraq and the Kurdistan region. At least 69 Canadian military experts are currently training Peshmerga forces.
Canada has also contributed $15 million to support security measures in the region, according to reports.
“We now urge Canada to help us with military aid and to encourage its allies to arm the Kurds with advanced weapons,” Osman added.
Harper and his Canadian delegation are scheduled for key talks on military aid and the regional war against the Islamic State.
“Daesh militias in Mosul are a tangible threat to the Kurds. We will participate in the battle for Mosul,” Osman said on Saturday, using the Arabic acronym for ISIS.
Speaking after the arrival in Erbil of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Osman praised Canada as "among the first countries who have been helping the Kurds in their fight against ISIS.”
Canada, a member of the international coalition formed to fight ISIS in Iraq and Syria, has reportedly deployed dozens of Canadian Armed Forces and many tons of military supplies to Iraq and the Kurdistan region. At least 69 Canadian military experts are currently training Peshmerga forces.
Canada has also contributed $15 million to support security measures in the region, according to reports.
“We now urge Canada to help us with military aid and to encourage its allies to arm the Kurds with advanced weapons,” Osman added.
Harper and his Canadian delegation are scheduled for key talks on military aid and the regional war against the Islamic State.
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