Canadian soldier killed by friendly fire in Iraq

A Canadian soldier has been killed in a friendly-fire incident in Iraq.
Sgt. Andrew Joseph Doiron was killed Friday, after members of the Canadian Forces were mistakenly engaged by Iraqi Kurdish forces, the Department of Defence said in a statement Saturday.
Three other members were injured in the incident and are receiving medical care, the department said.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canadian-soldier-killed-by-friendly-fire-in-iraq-1.2268817

Andrew Joseph Doiron, Petawawa, Ont., soldier, killed in Iraq

A Canadian soldier based in Petawawa, Ont., has been killed by friendly fire  in Iraq.

Sgt. Andrew Joseph Doiron from the Canadian Special Operations Regiment, based at Garrison Petawawa, was killed on Friday around 3:50 p.m. ET, according to a news release from the Canadian Forces.

The release said Doiron was killed in a friendly fire incident.

"Members of the Special Operations Forces were mistakenly engaged by Iraqi Kurdish forces following their return to an observation post behind the front lines," the release stated.

Three other soldiers were injured and were being treated in Iraq, the release added.

Doiron is the first Canadian soldier killed during this current mission to Iraq.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/andrew-joseph-doiron-petawawa-ont-soldier-killed-in-iraq-1.2985862

A Canadian soldier was killed Friday in Iraq in what the defence department described as a friendly fire incident when members of a special operations team were “mistakenly engaged” by Iraqi Kurdish forces while returning to an observation post behind front lines.

The victim was identified as Sgt. Andrew Joseph Doiron, from the Canadian Special Operations Regiment, based at Garrison Petawawa, north of Ottawa.

Three other members were injured in the incident and are receiving medical care.

“It is with deep sadness that I learned that Sergeant Andrew Joseph Doiron was killed in a friendly fire incident while advising and assisting Iraqi Kurdish forces in Iraq,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a news release.

“On behalf of all Canadians, Laureen and I offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Sergeant Doiron. We also offer our prayers for the speedy recovery of the other three injured members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

“Almost daily we see new evidence of the violent threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” the statement continues.

“More than ever, it is imperative that we, along with the more than 60 countries in the coalition, continue the campaign to halt ISIL’s spread and reduce its capacity to carry out terrorist attacks abroad and here in Canada.

“Our Government and the Canadian Armed Forces take the duty to protect Canadians seriously. Part of that duty requires us to stand tall and shoulder our share of the burden in the fight against ISIL. We are proud to do our part, and grateful to the men and women to whom it falls to carry out our commitment to peace and security. Sergeant Doiron lost his life in the line of duty. We will honour and remember his service to Canada.”

The defence department release said: We will not forget the sacrifice of this soldier as we continue on our mission to help advise and assist the Iraqi Security Forces in their fight against the so-called Islamic State (ISIL).”

Some 600 personnel aircrew support elements such as command, control and logistics are participating in the operation.

“It is with profound sadness that I have learned of the death of Sergeant Andrew Joseph Doiron in Iraq today. We have lost another invaluable member of our family,” Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Tom Lawson said in the news release.

“A soldier and a warrior, Sergeant Doiron was a consummate professional appreciated by all. His sacrifice will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.  I am grateful for his service and dedication.  He will be missed.”

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/canadian-soldier-dies-in-friendly-fire-incident-in-iraq-dnd-says