Canadian Airstrikes in Iraq Not to Change Reality on Ground: Expert

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Canada's decision to conduct airstrikes against the Islamic State's targets in Iraq is a demonstration of support to the Americans, however it will not change the reality on the ground, University of Ottawa International Law Professor Jabeur Fathally told RIA Novosti on Friday.

WASHINGTON, October 4 (RIA Novosti), Liudmila Chernova – Canada's decision to conduct airstrikes against the Islamic State's targets in Iraq is a demonstration of support to the Americans, however it will not change the reality on the ground, University of Ottawa International Law Professor Jabeur Fathally told RIA Novosti on Friday.

"This contribution will not change the reality on the ground. We can't fight ISIS simply by bombing them from the sky," Fathally stressed, adding that Islamic State is not a classic army. "The only way to fight it is collaborate not only with the Iraqi army but also with Iranians and with Syrians too," Fathally added.

"This contribution could be considered an effective one if we compare it to the other USA allies contribution, and if we see how much it may cost to the Canadian tax-payers. This contribution will be similar to the contribution of Canada in Libya 2 years ago", Fathally said.

The expert also noted that the public opinion on this issue in the country is divided.

"Canadians are against the terrorism for sure, but I think that the majority don't trust Harper who is considered a warmonger changing the traditional peacemaking Canadian foreign policy," he explained.

Expert believes that Harper primarily seeks showing support to the US and not fighting the Islamic State.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced on Friday plans to send CF-18 fighter jets for up to six months to battle Islamic extremists.

Early in September, US President Barack Obama unveiled a strategy to defeat the IS insurgency by creating an international anti-IS coalition and conducting airstrikes against IS targets in Iraq and Syria. The US-led coalition is currently comprised of more than 60 countries, according to the State Department.

IS, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS), or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), has been fighting against the government in Syria since 2012 and advanced into portions of northern Iraq in June 2014. IS continues to wage war in an attempt to establish a caliphate in these areas.

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