S/2015/221

United Nations

Security Council

Distr.: General
31 March 2015
Original: English and French

Letter dated 31 March 2015 from the Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the
Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations addressed to
the President of the Security Council
I am writing in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations
to report to the Security Council that Canada is taking necessary and proportionate
measures in Syria in support of the collective self-defence of Iraq.
On June 25 and September 20, 2014, Iraq wrote to the Security Council,
making clear that it was facing a serious threat of continuing attacks from Islamic
State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) emanating from safe havens in Syria. This threat
persists and the attacks by ISIL from safe havens in Syria continue. The
Government of Iraq asked the United States to lead international efforts to strike
ISIL sites and military strongholds in Syria in order to end the continuing attacks on
Iraq, to protect Iraqi citizens, and ultimately to enable Iraqi forces to regain control
of Iraq’s borders. The efforts of the international coalition have succeeded in
degrading ISIL’s capabilities and restricting ISIL’s operations, but much more
remains to be done.
ISIL also continues to pose a threat not only to Iraq, but also to Canada and
Canadians, as well as to other countries in the region and beyond. In accordance
with the inherent rights of individual and collective self-defence reflected in
Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, States must be able to act in self -defence
when the Government of the State where a threat is located is unwilling or unable to
prevent attacks emanating from its territory.
Canada’s military actions against ISIL in Syria are aimed at further degrading
ISIL’s ability to carry out attacks. These military actions are not aimed at Syria or
the Syrian people, nor do they entail support for the Syrian regime.
I would be grateful for you to circulate this letter as a document of the Security
Council. I am also copying this letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
(Signed) Michael Grant
Ambassador
Chargé d’affaires a.i.
Deputy Permanent Representative

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