Canada will end its airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria this month.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday he will bring home Canada's six fighter jets by February 22, fulfilling a campaign pledge he made before being elected last year.
He said the U.S.-led campaign of airstrikes is useful for bringing short-term gains, but not for long-term stability for affected communities.
Canada will continue to have surveillance and refueling aircraft involved in coalition efforts.
Trudeau also said the government will boost its number of troops training Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq, and that its military deployment in the region will continue through at least the end of March next year.
The White House said Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama spoke by telephone on Monday, noting recent gains against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and the urgency in fighting the group demonstrated by militant attacks outside the Middle East.
