QUEBEC – Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson says Canada will provide up to $8.3 million to Iraq and neighbouring countries to fight Islamic State militants.
Nicholson made the announcement today after attending closed-door meetings in Quebec City to discuss the fight against ISIL.
The foreign affairs minister says the money will help fund defence programs in Iraq as well as supply non-lethal equipment to countries in the region to help them secure their borders and contain the flow of foreign fighters.
Others in attendance at the international meeting included Iraqi Foreign Affairs Minister Ibrahim al-Jafaari and retired U.S. general John Allen, U.S. President Barack Obama’s envoy in the anti-ISIL coalition.
The coalition, of which Canada is part, has stepped up its campaign against ISIL with the involvement of Turkey.
Last week Turkey began striking targets in Syria and agreed to allow the United States to launch its own strikes from Turkey’s strategically located Incirlik Air Base.
