Is Canada secretly at war in the Middle East?

President Biden names Canada in missile strikes against Yemen

It’s official: the United States and United Kingdom are now in a shooting war in the Middle East.

This week saw a dramatic escalation and expansion of the conflict that was sparked by Hamas’ terrible attack on Israelis on October 7, leading to Israel killing at least ten-fold more civilians by carpet-bombing Gaza.

The U.S. and U.K. launched strikes against Yemen on Thursday. Then, out-of-the-blue, we learn Canada’s military is involved, too. Canada even got a shout-out from U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday night.

In a statement Biden announced:

“Today, at my direction, U.S. military forces—together with the United Kingdom and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands—successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital waterways.”

Statement from President Joe Biden on Coalition Strikes in Houthi-Controlled Areas in Yemen, January 11, 2024

Why was Yemen attacked, and how is it connected to the Israel and Hamas conflict?

Yemen is largely controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthis, who are allied informally with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and other regional armed groups backed by Iran.

The Houthis have been launching missile and drone attacks on commercial ships since October, disrupting global trade routes through the Suez Canal. They say they won’t stop until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.

Watch this backgrounder video by the CBC (from December)

What was Canada’s role in the air and missile strikes?

The U.S. and U.K. used aircraft carrier-based jets, ships and submarines to launch air and missile strikes aimed at degrading the Houthis’ ability to attack ships in the Red Sea. They hit 73 locations, killing at least five military personnel according to the Houthis.  

Canada’s precise military role in the strikes is unclear, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s explanation doesn’t seem to jive with what the U.S. is saying, raising many questions.

At a press conference in Guelph on Friday, the Prime Minister downplayed Canada’s role, saying, “We have been there in a supportive role. There are Canadian military members involved in some of the planning, but we did not have any operational assets involved in precision strikes.”

Yet President Biden’s description of the strikes having Canada’s “support” indicates more than a casual observer role or simple political endorsement.

According to the military, Canada has three military service people, two planners and an intelligence analyst, in the region assigned to the U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian.

But Operation Prosperity Guardian includes more than 20 countries including France, Italy and Spain, among others. Why were they left off the President’s list? What did Canada contribute that they did not?

Will Canada be dragged into combat?

We should brace for much more to come, including a potential combat role.

When asked if Canada is involved in discussions about future actions, Prime Minister Trudeau said there have been “many conversations” at high levels and the federal government will, “continue to take the necessary actions and engage in responsible ways, in ensuring that the world is a safer place,” according to CTV.

What’s the big deal if Canada gets involved?

There are many reasons to be concerned.

First, why were there no consultations, or even a press release for that matter, to inform Canadians that we are supporting military strikes against Yemen.

The NDP has raised the alarm. Foreign Affairs critic Heather MacPherson tweeted, “We’re running head-first into a larger crisis while Gazans continue to suffer.”

Second, this is a major escalation and widening of the Israel-Hamas conflict into a regional war potential involving other Iran-backed militias, or even Iran itself.

Third, will Canadian military personnel aboard ships and aircraft be asked to risk their lives in combat? Will Canadians living and working in the region now become targets?

Ultimately, as many millions are demanding, a ceasefire and diplomatic solution with international support is the only path forward to end the fighting and return hostages taken by Hamas.

(Cover image above: Corporal Terone Laughlin of HMCS REGINA's air detachment mounts a torpedo on to Bronco, the CH-148 Cyclone helicopter during Operation ARTEMIS, in the Pacific Ocean on April 7, 2019. Photo: Corporal Stuart Evans)

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