Canada’s deployment of 69 special forces troops to Iraq has become an intriguing case study in how quickly “advise and assist” operations can get escalated into outright combat.
Last week, it was revealed Canadian troops had engaged in a gunbattle with ISIS. Today, officials confirmed they’ve gotten involved in two more firefights in recent days.
The incidents are adding controversy to what officials continue to insist is a non-combat mission, as Canadians marvel at the ability of this tiny footprint of ground troops to “accidentally” wander into combat zones and have to engage in self defense.
Canadian chief of staff Gen. Tom Lawson insisted that the mission has “evolved” because of the increased threat posed by ISIS in the region, though he declined to offer details on why, despite troops “not seeking to directly engage the enemy,” they seem to keep directly engaging the enemy.
