CHLORAKAS, Cyprus — The last 84 Canadian soldiers out of Afghanistan have arrived in Cyprus for some rest and relaxation before catching a flight back home.

Canada has ended its 12-year mission in Afghanistan. The rest period known as “decompression” has been condensed to 36 hours from three or four days.

Greeting the troops as they arrived at a seaside hotel early March 16 was Canada’s Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino, who thanked them for their service.

Joining Fantino were veteran Canadian peacekeepers who are on the east Mediterranean island to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. It’s the longest-serving force of its kind.

Some 25,000 Canadian troops have served on the war-divided island over 30 years