Defence Minister wraps up successful visit to Kuwait

November 30, 2015
OTTAWA – Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan today wrapped up a successful visit to Kuwait where he met with Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel currently deployed in the region as part of Canada’s contribution to the multinational Coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Minister Sajjan used the occasion to pay tribute to the troops, thanking them for their dedication and service.
 
While in Kuwait, Minister Sajjan also met with his counterpart, His Excellency, Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, and other senior officials. During their discussions, the Minister underscored Canada’s ongoing commitment to working with allies and partners to counter global terrorism, and expressed his appreciation to Kuwait for hosting Canadian Armed Forces personnel engaged in the campaign. This support is vital to the mission.
 
Quotes
 
“Over the past few days, I have had the pleasure of meeting with allies and partners in both Jordan and Kuwait to discuss cooperation on a number of pressing global security and humanitarian issues. I was pleased with the positive exchange of ideas and expressed Canada’s on-going commitment to working with coalition partners to counter the ISIS threat, as well as Canada’s efforts to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees from the region as quickly as possible.”
 
Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence
 
“It is an honour and privilege to represent Canada on the world stage and to have an opportunity to meet with coalition counterparts and members of the Canadian Armed Forces. I want to express my deep appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to Canadian soldiers, sailors and airmen and airwomen for their hard work, professionalism and dedication.”
 
Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence
 
Quick Facts
 
Canada joined the multinational Coalition against ISIS in 2014 in an effort to help bring security and stability to Iraq and the region. Canada has been and continues to be an important contributor to this international effort.
 
Canada currently has approximately 600 CAF personnel deployed to the region as part of Joint Task Force-Iraq (JTF-I), which supports coalition efforts to degrade ISIS. Canada’s military contributions include:
 
o  approximately 69 personnel working in an advisory and assistance role, providing strategic and tactical advice to Iraqi security forces;
o  planning and liaison personnel working with the U.S. and other coalition partners;
o  command and control, and logistics; and
o  an air task force.
 
This is Minister Sajjan’s first visit to the region since becoming Minister of National Defence.