Alongside other main force contributors to the Global Coalition against Daesh, Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan today participated in the Counter-ISIL Small Group Defense Ministerial in Paris, France.

Today’s meeting, jointly chaired by France and the United States, focused on key contributors’ collective commitment to accelerate the Global Coalition’s military campaign. These meetings build cohesion and resolve to further security and stability in regions recently liberated from, or occupied by, Daesh, including the city of Mosul and its surroundings.

"We must, and will, defeat Daesh," said Minister Sajjan. "There is an ongoing need to be agile in our responses to stabilize Iraq. It is clear that the collective effort of Canada and its partners is having an impact on the ground. We continue to work with our Coalition partners to coordinate efforts to bring stability to the region."

Daesh’s continuing campaign of violence and terror in Iraq remains of great concern to Canada. Canadian whole-of-government efforts continue to play an important role in halting and degrading Daesh. Today’s meeting provided opportunities to discuss the complexities and needs of the region, as international partners coordinate efforts to further promote stability.

As part of the Government of Canada’s expanded whole-of-government strategy, announced earlier this year, the Canadian Armed Forces continue to work with coalition partners to set conditions for Iraqi security forces to achieve long-term success through self-sustainable security.

Under Operation IMPACT, the Canadian Armed Forces provide training and assistance to the Iraqi security forces, support the Coalition with highly skilled personnel, and provide support to Coalition air and intelligence efforts.

Canada is at the forefront of international efforts to defeat Daesh and to address the significant security, humanitarian, and political challenges it poses.

In February 2016, Canada committed to tripling the size of the train, advise, and assist mission—part of Operation IMPACT—to help Iraqi security forces plan and conduct military operations against Daesh.

The total number of Canadian Armed Forces members deployed under Operation IMPACT has increased to about 830, which includes the tripled train, advise, and assist mission in support of Iraqi security forces.

The Counter-ISIL Small Group Defense Ministerial is part of the larger Global Coalition against Daesh, which has 67 member nations and is committed to degrading and ultimately defeating Daesh.

The Counter-ISIL Defence Ministerial group is comprised of ministers of defence from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.