Canadian Parliament backs air strikes on Islamic State in Syria

Canadian legislators on Monday voted to back the government’s plans to bomb Islamic State positions in Syria, a move that opposition parties say threatens to drag Canada into a long war.

The House of Commons approved the plan 142-129. The result was never in doubt, since the ruling Conservatives have a majority in the chamber.

The vote also approved the extension of Canada’s six-month mission by a year to the end of March 2016.

Canada has around 70 special forces troops in northern Iraq and six Canadian jets are taking part in U.S.-led bombing attacks against Islamic State in Iraq.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who has made security a main plank of his platform in the run-up to an October election, last week said Canada needed to strike against Islamic State safe havens in Syria.

Polls show Harper will have a tough time retaining power in October. The New Democrats and the Liberals – the two main opposition parties – say Canadian attacks in Syria will only help prop up President Bashar al-Assad.

Won’t ask Syria’s consent for airstrikes

Harper said last week that Canada won’t ask Syria’s consent for the airstrikes

“In expanding our air strikes into Syria, the government has now decided that we will not seek the express consent of the Syrian government,” Harper said on March 24.

“Instead, we will work closely with our American and other allies, who have already been carrying out such operations against the Islamic State over Syria in recent months.”

Reuters/YL