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Canada exchanges fire with Islamic State in Iraq | Canada exchanges fire with Islamic State in Iraq |
(about 12 hours later) | |
Canadian soldiers have fired on Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq, in what is thought to be the first confirmed ground battle involving Western forces. | Canadian soldiers have fired on Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq, in what is thought to be the first confirmed ground battle involving Western forces. |
Acting in self-defence, the Canadians used sniper fire and did not suffer any casualties, said the general in charge. | Acting in self-defence, the Canadians used sniper fire and did not suffer any casualties, said the general in charge. |
It happened as the Canadians had moved closer to the front line after a meeting with Iraqi leaders. | |
There are 600 Canadian troops helping in airstrikes against IS, which took over large parts of Iraq and Syria. | There are 600 Canadian troops helping in airstrikes against IS, which took over large parts of Iraq and Syria. |
"My troops had completed a planning session with senior Iraqi leaders several kilometres behind the front lines," Canadian special forces commander Brigadier General Michael Rouleau said on Monday. | "My troops had completed a planning session with senior Iraqi leaders several kilometres behind the front lines," Canadian special forces commander Brigadier General Michael Rouleau said on Monday. |
"When they moved forward to confirm the planning at the front lines in order to visualise what they had discussed over a map, they came under immediate and effective mortar and machine gunfire." | "When they moved forward to confirm the planning at the front lines in order to visualise what they had discussed over a map, they came under immediate and effective mortar and machine gunfire." |
He said the Canadians used sniper fire and "neutralised" the enemy without taking any casualties. | He said the Canadians used sniper fire and "neutralised" the enemy without taking any casualties. |
This was "the first time we've taken fire and returned fire" in Iraq, he added. | This was "the first time we've taken fire and returned fire" in Iraq, he added. |
Elsewhere on Monday, there was a victory reported for Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State (IS) militants on the Syria-Turkey border. | Elsewhere on Monday, there was a victory reported for Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State (IS) militants on the Syria-Turkey border. |
Local officials said Kurdish units gained control of the hill at Kobane. | Local officials said Kurdish units gained control of the hill at Kobane. |
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