Some Canadian Troops Being Moved Out Of Iraq
An unspecified number of Canadian soldiers are being moved to Kuwait in the wake of U.S.-Iran tensions
In the escalating war of words between Iran and the U.S., an unspecified number of Canadian troops have packed their bags and are being shipped from Iraq to Kuwait.
Some other NATO allies are doing the same thing, such as Germany and Romania.
Canada’s decision was announced by chief of defence staff General Jonathan Vance in an open letter to the families of the 500 Canadian soldiers in Iraq.
A letter from General Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff, to Canadians about our deployed personnel in the Middle East. #OpIMPACT pic.twitter.com/Y0IdmZdo9f
— Canadian Forces (@CanadianForces) January 7, 2020
Vance called the movement of troops a temporary measure intended to ensure their safety and security. He said the safety of the troops was his top priority.
Iran has threatened revenge for the death of its top military commander, killed by a US drone strike at Baghdad Airport in Iraq.
There is also confusion around the future of western forces in Iraq after the country’s parliament and outgoing prime minister called for them to leave.
With fears the tension between Iran and the U.S. could erupt into war, world leaders have been working the phones. Prime Minister Trudeau was on the line to the leaders of Germany and Jordan today to discuss the situation.