Canada

Canadian fighter jets strike ISIS targets in Iraq

The Canadian Forces says two CF-18 Hornets took to the skies on New Year's Day to attack ISIS fighting positions in Ramadi in support of Iraqi security forces.

2 CF-18 Hornets attacked ISIS fighting positions in Ramadi on New Year's Day, Canadian Forces says

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan told the House of Commons on Wednesday that Canada's CF-18s flew their last mission on Feb. 15. (Staff Sgt. Perry Aston/U.S. Air Force/Canadian Press)

Canadian fighter jets taking part in the air campaign against the ISIS have had a busy start to 2016.

The Canadian Forces says two CF-18 Hornets took to the skies on New Year's Day to attack ISIS fighting positions in Ramadi in support of Iraqi security forces.

Canadian warplanes were also kept busy on Saturday with two separate missions.

A pair of fighters pounded an ISIS compound near the community of Bartallah, east of Mosul, while a second pair hit an ISIL base near Kudilah, southeast of Mosul.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he intends to withdraw the Canadian fighter jets from the air campaign sometime this year, but he hasn't announced the exact time.

The former Conservative government committed to keeping the warplanes involved in coalition air strikes until March.