Canadian Special Forces Soldier Sgt. Andrew Joseph Doiron Dies In Iraq Friendly Fire Due To Mistaken Identity- Reports
A member of Canada’s special forces deployed to assist and train the local troops against the ISIS Daesh has died in a friendly fire incident in Iraq. Kurdish officials said his death was a case of mistaken identity, but Canadian officials refuse to accept the explanation since there had been pre-arranged talks regarding their mission.
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters at a checkpoint in the village of Bashiq said they opened fire on Sgt. Andrew Joseph Doiron and three others because they mistook them for the enemy ISIS Daesh extremists. This, despite the team had actually been at the location earlier in the day "to co-ordinate events to take place later," CBC News said, citing an unidentified “high-level Canadian government source.”
The Kurdish troops maintained the Canadian soldiers showed up unannounced, refuting claims of coordination earlier in the day. Canadian officials however pointed out "special forces don't freelance," meaning they were there for a reason. In fact, the official noted, the Canadian team had told the locals they will return that night, and even discussed with the Kurdish troops pre-determined signals to identify themselves.
Halgurd Hekmat, a peshmerga spokesman, told The Associated Press their colleagues started shooting at Doiron and his fellow Canadian soldiers when they replied to a question in Arabic language. "When they returned, the peshmerga asked them to identify themselves. They answered in Arabic, that's when peshmerga started shooting. It was their fault."
Hezhar Ismail, director of co-ordination and relations for the peshmerga, said the Canadian team had went to the front line to direct the airstrikes. The area had been attacked by ISIS the day before, he added.
Defence Minister Jason Kenney said the government will launch two investigations into the unfortunate incident. Doiron's body may be flown to Canada on Tuesday, the earliest. CBC News said there will be a repatriation ceremony. Kurdish officials said they will hold a military ceremony at Irbil International Airport for Doiron's body before flying it out.
As for the three other wounded Canadian special forces, one had been evacuated to Germany to receive medical treatment. The two others, reportedly with minor, non-life threatening injuries, were still in the Iraqi city of Irbil.
Deployed in September 2014, the Canadian special forces have orders not to engage in direct ground combat themselves. However, they have clashed with the ISIS Daesh extremists on two occasions.
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