Australia Joins ant-ISIS Front – Nervously

LONDON - Australia stepped into the coalition of some 50 nations assembled against the Islamic State (ISIS), but with its prime minister at pains to stress this is not a country going to war.

The Cabinet on Friday authorized six Australian Super Hornet strike fighters that are already in the Gulf to start on US-led bombing raids in Iraq. A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and a refueller are part of the deployment.

In addition, 200 special forces personnel are awaiting final legal approval to deploy on training missions with the Iraqi army.

While it has joined the coalition, Australia has done so nervously.  That is because of threats at home from Islamic extremists, and the memory of a 2002 bomb attack that killed dozens of Australians.

Although the Hornets are expected to be involved in bombing raids, Prime Minister Tony Abbot has tried to portray the deployment as an extension of Australia’s humanitarian mission.  He said Australian forces are not fighting a “war,” but an insurgency.

“Yes, it is a combat deployment but it is an essentially humanitarian mission to protect the people of Iraq and ultimately the people of Australia from the murderous rage of the ISIL (another name for ISIS) death cult,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him a saying.

This is the first Australian deployment in Iraq since 2009.

Australian leaders are edgy about committing to war against the jihadis for good reason.

Twelve years ago this month, 88 holidaying Australians were killed in a twin coordinated bomb attack on Indonesia’s Bali island.  Osama bin Laden said at the time the kiilings were in revenge for Australia’s role in the US war on terror.

Last month, ISIS spokesman Abu Muhammad al-Adnani named Australia among four nations he said are legitimate targets for jhadi attacks.

“If you can kill a disbelieving American or European -- especially the spiteful and filthy French -- or an Australian, or a Canadian, or any other disbeliever from the disbelievers waging war... kill him in any manner or way however it may be," he urged ISIS followers.

Greens leader Christine Milne was quoted by the The Australian newspaper as warning that the anti-ISIS operation would make Australia a greater target for terrorists and a more attractive recruiting ground.

"Why would we not be better served by a strategy to combat extremism with inclusion at home, whilst supporting global efforts to cut off financial and personnel support to ISIL?" Milne asked.

Australia has been on high alert following a massive counter-terror operation last month, when Australian police said they thwarted an ISIS terror plot that included the planned beheadings of civilians.

“The challenges that we face are more serious today than at any times in the past,”  Abbot acknowledged.

Like many Western countries, Australia is worried about disgruntled citizens returning home from jihads with bomb and weapons skills.

Officials believe up to 160 Australians have been either involved in fighting in the Middle East or are actively supporting groups fighting there. Twenty are believed to have returned to Australia and are identified as security risks.