Ottawa, April 15 (RHC)-- The government of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is making diplomatic and military preparations for military intervention in Syria, leaked documents show. 

According to documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen, Canada’s National Defense has drawn up at least five scenarios for the country’s military mission in Syria.

In one scenario, Canada recognizes “a legitimate armed opposition group” fighting to overthrow the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.  To justify a war on Syria, the National Defense alludes to “the rapidly deteriorating conditions in Syria, its impact on neighboring countries and the importance of Middle East stability.”

Daniel Blouin, spokesman for the National Defense, has described such plans as “routine to significant international events.”  Separate documents reveal that Canada has been training alternatives to Assad’s government.

On Monday, the Syrian government said it holds the United States, Turkey, Israel and Saudi Arabia accountable for previous and potential chemical attacks in the Arab country.

In letters addressed to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and President of the UN Security Council Joy Ogwu, Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates stated that the countries involved in the conspiracy against Syria have sought excuses to justify their continued aggression.
Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since 2011.  Over 150,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced due to the violence fueled by Western-backed militants.