April 9, 2015 – After several months of conducting airstrikes in Iraq, the Canadian military Wednesday conducted its first strike in Syria, following their government’s decision to extend and expand their military contribution to the coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.

“This first airstrike under the expanded mandate demonstrates our Government’s firm resolve to tackle the threat of terrorism against Canada and to promote international security and stability,” said Jason Kenney, Canada’s minister of national defence. “ISIL is a genocidal terrorist organization, and we will deny them safe haven in the region. Canada is playing an important role in degrading ISIL’s capabilities in collaboration with the US-led international coalition.”

Since October the Canadian military has had several hundred personnel assigned in the Middle East supporting operations against ISIL. As of Tuesday, they had conducted 484 fighter missions, 125 aerial refueling missions and 134 reconnaissance missions, according to the Canadian Armed Forces’ website.

The Canadian military also has several dozen personnel involved in advising and assisting Iraqi security forces.