Australian Aircraft to Support US-led Air Strikes in Iraq
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Jumat, 19 Oktober 2018 19:06 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is ready to assist the United States (US) in its effort to defeat the hardline Islamist group Islamic State (ISIS) by performing support fights above Iraqi territories.
Australia has deployed around 600 troops and several aircrafts to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since mid-September to join the combat efforts of the US-led coalition in the Middle East.
"We haven't decided to let our troops fight directly, but as per today Australian planes have begun to fly over Iraq in support of the allied operations against ISIS," said Abbott in Parliament, as quoted by AFP.
"We fully support the operation. Australian airstrikes have to wait until we receive further internal approval, as well as approval from Iraqi authorities," said Abbott.
"RAAF's early warning detection aircraft E-7A Wedgetail Airborne and a tanker plane have been deployed to support the allied mission over Iraq," finished Abbott.