BAGHDAD (AP) – Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper made a surprise visit Saturday to Iraq pledging to continue its support for the country’s battle against the Islamic State group.
Harper’s visit to both Baghdad and Iraq’s Kurdish region in the north came as seven women and children were killed by a roadside bomb and a suicide blast killed six Iraqi troops.
The Canadian government has announced $139 million in additional aid to address the refugee crisis around the region precipitated by the fighting, in addition to the $67 million already committed to Iraq.
Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi received Harper in Baghdad. Canada is part of the U.S.-led international coalition supporting the Iraqi military with airstrikes, training and weapons.
Harper pledged to continue his government’s support for Iraq.