Canada launched its first airstrike against ISIS in northern Iraq on Sunday, government officials confirmed.
Two CF-18 fighter jets signaled Canada's involvement in joining the U.S. led coalition against ISIS in Iraq, said Canada's defense minister, Rob Nicholson.
Nicholson said in a statement Sunday, that two F-18s dropped 500-pound laser guided bombs on ISIS targets in the area of Fallujah, west of Baghdad. It was a mission that lasted about four hours.
In January, the Iraqi government lost control of the city when Islamic State fighters were put in conflict with police after the withdrawal of the Iraqi army from all of Anbar province, The Star reported. Since then, Fallujah became a major stronghold of the ISIS militants.
The defense minister explained that the mission included air-to-air refueling from Canada's Polaris C-150 jet. All aircraft returned safely to their base, the minister added.
In a report by CTV News, Nicholson said, "Today's strike demonstrates our government's firm resolve to tackle the threat of terrorism and to stand with our allies against ISIL's atrocities against innocent women, children and men."
The airstrike was Canada's first time to let the country's forces join in an offensive movement against Islamic State militants. There are six CF-18 fighter jets, two CP-140 Aurora surveillance planes and the C-150 refuelling jet that have been deployed to Kuwait. In addition, the Canadian government also committed a total of 600 personnel to the mission while improving its security forces with military supplies and training.
Canada has committed Operation Impact, a six month mission to fight against ISIS militants in Iraq.
Nicholson stated that military will release information about the developments in the mission including a damage assessment of the target until Tuesday.
