Tanks and 200 more soldiers going to Afghanistan
Updated Fri. Sep. 15 2006 3:14 PM ET
David Akin, CTV.ca News
OTTAWA -- Canada will send tanks and about 200 more soldiers to bolster its presence in southern Afghanistan, an initiative which the military described as "a normal practice" for the kind of situation Canadian soldiers are now facing there.
General Rick Hillier, chief of Canada's defence staff, announced this afternoon that the Forces are strengthening reconstruction and stabilization efforts in Afghanistan.
After getting final approval from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Hillier has decided to send the following immediately to Afghanistan:
An infantry company from Valcartier, Quebec
A Leopard tank squadron from Edmonton to better protect and enable the Canadian Forces to fight in those areas where Taliban forces have established well-coordinated and determined defences;
Military engineers to manage reconstruction and development projects and,
A counter-mortar capability to locate Taliban forces that are targeting Canadian Forces installations with indirect mortar fire.
The reinforcements are being sent at the request of the Canadian commanders in Afghanistan. Once the additional forces are in Afghanistan, Canada will have about 2,500 troops in the region. Canadian troops will make up well over 10 per cent of all NATO troops in Afghanistan.
"Canadian soldiers face a complex and very demanding mission in Afghanistan," the Department of National Defence says in a statement. "The situation on the ground in Afghanistan recently shifted due to the changing tactics of the Taliban operating in the southern region, where Canadian and NATO troops are seeking to stabilize areas.
"Increased capabilities are needed to provide Task Force Afghanistan Commanders with the most effective tools they required to give them more options in the field of operations. These resources provide greater mobility, protection of our troops, flexibility and precision firepower."
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