Canadian defence and diplomatic officials have been quietly working on plans for possible Canadian military missions in Syria, the Ottawa Citizen reports.
Internal documents obtained by paper show the defence ministry has drawn up at least five scenarios for which Canadian forces should prepare.
At least one possible intervention “assumes that a legitimate armed opposition group has been recognized” by Canada, although details about the rest of this scenario have been blacked out, the paper said.
National Defence spokesman Daniel Blouin described such planning as “routine to significant international events” and part of the military’s due diligence to be prepared for any eventuality.
That such plans have been drawn up indicates the degree of seriousness to which defence officials and the government are taking the fighting in Syria, which brings with it the risk of escalation and broader regional impacts, the paper said.
Internal documents obtained by paper show the defence ministry has drawn up at least five scenarios for which Canadian forces should prepare.
At least one possible intervention “assumes that a legitimate armed opposition group has been recognized” by Canada, although details about the rest of this scenario have been blacked out, the paper said.
National Defence spokesman Daniel Blouin described such planning as “routine to significant international events” and part of the military’s due diligence to be prepared for any eventuality.
That such plans have been drawn up indicates the degree of seriousness to which defence officials and the government are taking the fighting in Syria, which brings with it the risk of escalation and broader regional impacts, the paper said.