Australia declares its fight against IS

Its military insurgencies are set for several ‘years’ to come

Sydney: Australia has officially declared its role in the fight against the Islamic State in the middle east. The government has said , in its statement, its efforts against the militant group are expected to last for a long time in the near future. This succeeds its declaration that the air force of Australia would conduct air strikes in IS occupied Syria.

These military plans digress from Australia’s general strategy of action based in Iraq, where the USA-led coalition against the ISIS carries out missions. Not only its air force, but also Australia’s army has been roped in to train and aid the Iraqi army in the war. The Australian military has been bombing and shelling various IS bases in Iraq for nearly a year and has planned this expansion in the target area at the request of the USA, which, last month, had asked Australia for aid in targeting Syrian ISIS bases.

The Australian Defence Minister, Ms. Julie Bishop says, “We’ve always spoken about our involvement in Iraq in terms of years, not months or days”. Giving specifications, Defence Minister Kevin Andrews added, “The country’s role in the Middle East conflict would last two or three years, I can’t say in exact terms”.

Meanwhile, Australia has also increased its aid to refugees and other displaced members of these war-struck countries. It has announced the amalgamation of a further 12,00 refugee population to its Republic population, in addition to a confirmed 2015 refugee intake of 13,750 migrants. Others fleeing the Syrian crisis in neighbouring areas will be provided help by the UN through the monetary aid of  A$44m given by Australia, to sustain 240,000 people.

Australia’s overall benefactor aid to the middle-eastern counties will rise to a total of A$230m, calculated since 2011. Vis-à-vis, Europe is teeming under a migrant crisis, with an average daily refugee intake of tens of thousands. The USA-led coalition continues to carry out attacks against the terrorist group, leading to the largest crises in human history since World War II.

 Source: BBC

Author: Khushi Desai

• About the Author

About Sprightly Spirit

“I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares more is none”. And all, may be. It may be the vigor. Or the spirit. Or the courage to avoid being “politically correct” or bent. And, ban all averse with immaculate overture of graciously fathomable words firm in views. Subtle. Justifying the undying conscience. Values. Knowledge. And, dares to stay true. True to own. True to the world. And, to the words. With a dream in eyes it exists. In you. In me. In all. The sprite that never shies away. The spirit that never dies!