Canada sending helicopter force for 12 months to support UN mission in Mali
Posted March 19, 2018 8:16 am.
Last Updated March 19, 2018 10:01 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – It’s now official: Canada will be sending troops and helicopters to a new peacekeeping mission in Mali.
The Trudeau government hopes this new mission will have an impact on the ground in the conflict there.
But Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says our contribution to the overall UN mission will mainly be in the air.
“The task force will include two Chinnok helicopters, which provide much-needed transport and logistics capability, as well as four armed Griffon helicopters for armed escort and protection.”
It’s not clear how many troops will be joining the helicopters on this mission, but the government intends to fulfill a promise to the UN by significantly increasing the number of women deployed.
A deployment date for the 12-month mission has yet to be determined.
This mission will not be without risk. The conflict in Mali is violent and dangerous, and there have been more than 150 peacekeepers killed since the UN sent in troops.
Sajjan says steps will be taken to address the risks. “We will make sure that they have the appropriate equipment, that they have the appropriate training, and — more importantly — they have the proper rules of engagement.”
