Thread by @MercedesGlobal

A reminder in light of yesterday’s events in Iraq that Canada is in command of the NATO mission in Iraq (HQ in Baghdad). Canadian Major General Jennie Carignan is in charge of NATO Mission Iraq. Up to 850 Canadian troops are approved to be part of Op Impact #CAF #cdnfp

Major General Dany Fortin recently returned from command of NATO Mission Iraq and sat down with @TheWestBlock. I asked him about Iran’s influence. Interview here: #CAF #cdnpoli #cdnfp

@TheWestBlock OK, it's 1415 ET so time to update this thread a bit with what we know and what we don't know. Canada has authorized up to 850 troops for the Iraq mission - but typically we are far under that cap as @mfisheroverseas points out. #CAF #cdnpoli #cdnfp

@TheWestBlock @mfisheroverseas Canadians are teaching Counter IED stuff, medical training, flying Griffon helos and leading the NATO mission in Iraq. Worth noting that is a training AND advising mission. RCMP and Canadian police are also deployed and involved in this mission (up to 20 are authorized).

@TheWestBlock @mfisheroverseas This morning we asked the Department of National Defence how many Canadian troops are actually on the ground now in Iraq. We still don't know the answer. This afternoon we have put the same question to the RCMP.

@TheWestBlock @mfisheroverseas I can't provide a lot of insight into what's going on right now other than there are a lot of urgent meetings and secure phone calls happening right now. Lots of people are not in Ottawa who have to deal with this stuff and on vacation

@TheWestBlock @mfisheroverseas There's no info yet on whether Canada was notified in advance of the strike, if there has been an American ask for more troops, if Canadian troops will be confined to their bases (those outside Baghdad are largely on bases anyhow), or withdrawn.

@TheWestBlock @mfisheroverseas Also, most Canadian troops who are not in Baghdad at HQ are in Northern Iraq.

The RCMP say there are 12 Canadian police officers from Iraq. The officers come from the RCMP and forces across the country including Halifax, the SQ, the OPP and Saskatoon. #cdnpoli #cdnfp #RCMP #CAF

NATO statement to Global News on how the alliance and Canadian commanded mission in Iraq are reacting to the killing of #Soleimani

NATO officials note the alliance has been concerned about Iran for some time. @ 2018 Brussels Summit all allies expressed concern re “Iran's destabilising activities in the wider Middle East region... including Iran's support to a variety of armed non-state actor”

No word yet on Force protection or whether any allies are looking at bringing troops home off the NATO mission. NATO countries decide whether or not to send troops (article 7 likely different but this is not an article 7 mission)

RCMP statement on safety of Canadian police in Iraq. BTW still no response from the Canadian Armed Forces with same questions

Military has now released a statement. They say there are approximately 200 troops in Iraq contributing to NATO Mission Iraq. I don't believe CANSOF (Canadian Special Operations Forces) fall under that mission, nor will they ever release those numbers #CAF #cdnfp #Soleimani

Here is the CAF statement:
"The Canadian Armed Forces continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and are in close coordination with our Coalition allies in this matter..." (1/3)

"The safety and security of our members are paramount and considerations for the safety of our deployed personnel and the security of military operations are at the forefront of our military planning and decision-making process..." 2/3

"Specific details regarding threat assessments or force protection measures are not released for operational security reasons.

Canada remains committed to a stable and united Iraq." 3/3

Doesn't sound like a draw down or ramp up and no comment on keeping troops on bases since they say they won't comment on force protection measures.

Defence Minister @HarjitSajjan spoke today with US Secretary of Defence, in Statement Sajjan says Canada is monitoring the situation and remains committed to the mission

@HarjitSajjan So this is weird. The Canadian government is refusing to reveal how many Canadian troops are in Iraq. They say there are about 200 taking part in the NATO training and advising mission. They will not say how many are in Iraq on Op Impact. #cdnpoli #cdnfp #CAF #Soleimani

@HarjitSajjan All they will give us is it has to be somewhere over 200 and under the 850 cap. That's a pretty big range to not be specific with. I get not revealing the breakdown between CANSOF and reg force but this is odd, never encountered it before. #cdnpoli #cdnfp #CAF #Soleimani

@HarjitSajjan A Senior govt source on calls taking place today:
Min Sajjan spoke with US Secretary of Defence;
PM Trudeau's National Security and Intelligence Advisor spoke with the US National Security Advisor;
CDS Gen Vance spoke with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff #cdnfp #Soleimani

@HarjitSajjan Canada's acting ambassador in Washington spoke with her American contacts, according to the senior govt source, and Canada has also been in contact with NATO and coalition partners #cdnpoli #cdnfp #Soleimani