Canada announces ground troops to leave Afghanistan

Published 9:00 pm Monday, May 20, 2002

TORONTO – Canada announced Tuesday it was bringing home its ground troops in Afghanistan in July or August, ending their six-month mission.

Defense Minister Art Eggleton said navy and special forces would continue their role in the U.S.-led campaign. He said Canada’s military resources were stretched by participation in peacekeeping missions and other duties around the world, making it difficult to maintain its 800-member force.

Asked if the mistaken bombing of Canadian troops that killed four soldiers and wounded eight in April had anything to do with the decision, Eggleton said: “As much of a tragedy as that was, no, it did not play into this decision.”