Special forces troops involved in two more firefights with ISIL fighters

OTTAWA — Canadian special forces troops have been involved in more firefights with Islamic State extremists.

Navy Capt. Paul Forget says the elite troops, who were advising Kurdish fighters in battlefield planning, came under fire twice while visiting the front over the last week.

He says in both cases the Canadian troops returned fire and "neutralized" the threats.

The gun battles are in addition to an incident outlined last week by the commander of special forces, Brig.-Gen. Michael Rouleau.

As well, Forget says CF-18 jetfighters have conducted 12 more air strikes supporting Iraqi forces who are preparing to liberate Mosul, the country's second largest city.