WASHINGTON • A Canadian Special Operations sniper shot an Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighter from 3.54km away in Iraq, Toronto-based Globe and Mail newspaper reported on Thursday.

The shot, according to the report, happened within the last month.

In a statement following publication of the article, the Canadian Special Operations Command confirmed that one of its soldiers from the elite Joint Task Force 2 hit a human target from 3,540m away.

It did not say exactly where the event took place, citing operational security reasons.

Major-General Michael Rouleau told the Globe and Mail on Thursday that the feat shattered the world military record.

"This is an incredible martial achievement. Achieving a confirmed sniper shot at this distance is unprecedented," he said.

The world record was previously held by British sniper Craig Harrison, who shot a Taleban gunner with an Accuracy International rifle from 2,475m away in 2009.

The Globe and Mail said the shooter used a McMillan Tac-50 rifle, which is made in the US. The .50-calibre rifle is known in the Canadian armed forces as the C15 Long Range Sniper Weapon and was responsible for multiple record-breaking shots during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan in 2002.

The weapon has a maximum effective range of around 3,657m and weighs roughly 12kg.

The Canadian military maintains a robust special operations presence in Iraq in lieu of conducting airstrikes on behalf of the US-led coalition. Much like their American counterparts, the units provide assistance for Iraqi forces and have been filmed on the front lines.

WASHINGTON POST