Ottawa Considering Extending Afghan Mission

Hundreds of troops could stay behind after 2011 to help train the Afghan national army.

Canada’s combat mission in Afghanistan ends in July 2011, and Stephen Harper said in January that any remaining Canadian presence would be “strictly civilian.” But his government has been under intense pressure from NATO allies to extend our military stay in the country, and yesterday Defence Minister Peter MacKay admitted the government is considering leaving troops behind to help train Afghan forces. The Canadians would not take part in combat, and would relocate from the dangerous Kandahar region to “behind the wire” in Kabul. It is believed about 600 soldiers would stay behind. NATO countries will meet in Lisbon later this month, and Ottawa will likely have to make a decision on the future of the Afghan mission by then.