Defence Minister David McGuinty says Canadian military personnel within the Middle East are out of harm’s way because the U.S. and Israel proceed to launch missile strikes on Iran.
McGuinty didn’t offer specifics Tuesday when asked what number of Canadian military personnel are within the region, saying only there are “some.”
“They’re all effective, out of harm’s way and it’s something that we’re watching very rigorously,” McGuinty told reporters in Sydney, Australia, where he’s on an official visit with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
McGuinty said the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is a positive development.
“Ayatollah Khamenei has been for a lot of, many a long time a really, very powerful force for evil in Iran and within the region,” he said.
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Carney has endorsed the American and Israeli military strikes on Iran, but in addition said Canada is not going to get entangled.
McGuinty said the Canadian Armed Forces weren’t involved within the preparation or execution of the attack and Canada was not given advance notice.
He said the federal government “decided from the start” it will support the attack but can be calling for a diplomatic end to the conflict.
The Department of National Defence has not said what number of Canadian troops are stationed in each country within the Middle East. The department has said only that the Canadian Armed Forces will “assess any potential impacts on CAF personnel within the region.”
“The protection and security of all deployed CAF personnel remain our top priority. In step with established procedures, the CAF adjusts its presence and posture in deployment locations as required,” wrote department spokesperson Nick Drescher Brown.
“All CAF personnel within the region are currently secure and accounted for. For operational security reasons, the CAF doesn’t disclose specific force protection measures.
“The CAF has no involvement in america’ Operation Epic Fury, nor were any CAF members involved in its planning.”
— with files from Dylan Robertson in Ottawa
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