CF-18 jets hit ISIS weapons in northern Iraq, DND says

The Department of National Defence says the Canadian Forces hit another target believed to belong to Islamic militants in Iraq today.

The department said a CF-18 fighter jet hit artillery belonging to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, also known as ISIS or ISIL, using laser-guided munitions near Bayji, north of Baghdad. The Canadian Forces believed the equipment could have been used to attack coalition assets, the department said.

"On this Remembrance Day, we reflect on the service and sacrifice of our veterans and serving members for their courageous dedication to our country," Defence Minister Rob Nicholson said in a statement.

"I also commend the nearly 600 men and women in uniform for their tremendous work today in the international fight to degrade ISIL.

"This strike demonstrates Canada's firm resolve to tackle the threat of terrorism and stand with our allies against ISIL's atrocities against innocent women, children and men."

A spokesperson for the Canadian Joint Operations Command later told CBC News a series of coalition missions were conducted in support of Iraqi security forces operating on the ground.

The Defence Department said it would provide further details on Thursday.

Tuesday's military action is the second reported strike since Canadian jets arrived at a base in Kuwait on Oct. 30 to take part in the U.S.-led coalition mission.

The first strike targeted construction equipment near Fallujah, a militant stronghold about 71 kilometres west of Baghdad, on Nov. 2. In that offensive, Canadian jets helped to destroy heavy engineering equipment being used to divert the Euphrates River to flood areas nearby while denying water to Iraqi civilians farther away, Lt.-Gen. Jonathan Vance told reporters at a later briefing.