April 8, 2019 - Ottawa, ON - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), represented by Lieutenant-General Michael Rouleau, Commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command, joined the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) at a groundbreaking ceremony today to mark the beginning of the Jordan Border Road Rehabilitation project. This project will contribute to the security and stability of Jordan through the construction and rehabilitation of a road along Jordan's northern border with Syria, enabling the JAF to better respond to threats in the region.
The CAF's presence in the Middle East helps regional partners' security forces to plan more effectively and execute military operations aimed at improving stability in the region. In November 2017, the Department of National Defence received Government endorsement to access a total of $60 million to be spent on building partner capacity efforts in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon as part of Canada's whole of government Middle East Strategy and efforts to combat Daesh. To facilitate cooperation with the JAF, the CAF deployed a Canadian Training and Assistance Team to Jordan (CTAT-J). The activities conducted by the CTAT-J have linked skills-based training and mentoring with the acquisition of equipment and infrastructure development.
These efforts, aimed at building partner capacity, are being implemented under Operation IMPACT, the CAF support to the Global Coalition to degrade and ultimately defeat Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
"Canada has a strong and collaborative relationship with Jordan, built on mutual defence and security priorities. We are pleased to support this project as part of an integrated approach that contributes to security and stability in the region."
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence
"This important road rehabilitation project is a tangible example of the close relationship between the Jordanian and Canadian Armed Forces. It will help Jordanian Armed Forces to deter, monitor, and interdict incursions along the northern border in order to reduce terrorist and violent extremist activity and keep the people of Jordan safe."
Lieutenant-General Mike Rouleau, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command
Quick facts
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In November 2017, the Government of Canada approved $60 million in defence funding to support CAF's efforts to defeat Daesh in the Middle East. One of the most significant projects financed by these funds is the Jordan Border Road Rehabilitation project, which was announced on December 17th, 2017.
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In March 2019, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that the Government of Canada is extending Operation IMPACT until the end of March 2021
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Canada's assistance to Jordan is part of Canada's Middle East strategy. The CAF's capacity building efforts will help Jordan address the spill-over effects of the ongoing conflict in Iraq and Syria, and will help contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East.
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The portion of the road to be rehabilitated with Canadian assistance is approximately 63 km in length.
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The estimated duration for the Jordan Border Road Rehabilitation project is two years.
