Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:

"Canada condemns in the strongest terms the attacks conducted yesterday in several Iraqi provinces that killed dozens of people, including several members of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Diyala. Canada is also extremely concerned by the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)’s continuing attacks on the Kurdish-majority town of Kobane in northern Syria.

"ISIL is a group of terrorists who rape, pillage and slaughter anyone who stands in their way. It is trying to expand the territory it controls to spread its hateful ideology and fear among the Iraqi and Syrian people.

"On behalf of all Canadians, I extend my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of ISIL’s brutality.

"The latest barbaric acts only reinforce our moral duty to act against ISIL. Canada is committed to acting with the Government of Iraq and allies to halt ISIL’s murderous rampage."

Canada has announced a number of measures designed to combat ISIL’s brutality and help victims of this barbaric terrorist group. These measures include contributing CF-18 fighter jets, along with surveillance, refuelling and heavy-lift aircraft, to the U.S.-led coalition to degrade and destroy ISIL; up to 69 military advisers to advise and assist security forces in Iraq; and more than $38 million in humanitarian and security assistance.

src:news.gc.ca