The request from the US stems from its recognition that the base of the Islamic State forces must be attacked more effectively, and frequently. He told Channel Nine that no decision has been made by the government yet, and that the coalition is all set to brief the opposition about the request before anything would be decided upon.
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“The focus of the conversation with Turkey is the anti ISIL campaign that we are doing in Syria and Iraq”.
Despite the legal difference, Abbott said there was “no moral difference” between the fight against the extremists in the two countries.
Cabinet minister Christopher Pyne would not confirm the development this morning, but told Channel Nine the government would respond to any request from the US. “We need them also as a neighbor to this conflict zone and as a longtime North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ally and a responsible member of the anti-ISIL coalition to control the border, the long border they have with both Syria and Iraq, more than it has controlled over the past year”.
The attack prompted a furious reaction from the PKK, who shot dead two police in their sleep, accusing them of collusion with ISIL.
Islamic State continues to cause concern.
He warned consolidation of a terrorist state in Eastern Syria and northern Iraq would be a catastrophe for the world.
Mr Abbott said Daesh (Islamic State) was a movement of “almost incalculable unfathomable evil” and it was important that Australia play a part in disrupting, degrading and ultimately destroying this “death cult”.
Australia was invited by Iraq to intervene there, but has not had the same request from Syria, whose regime it does not recognise.
Vice-Admiral David Johnston, the chief of joint operations, said Syria would be a “significantly more hard environment” than neighbouring Iraq.
“I don’t underestimate the complexity of our commencing operations in Syria, it is a significantly more hard environment”, he said.
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The Canadian Parliament has given in-principle approval for Syrian airstrikes and Britain is also considering bombing missions over Syria, while British pilots embedded with other militaries have already done so.
