Australia In 'Long War' Against ISIS; Funding For Counterterrorism Effort Gets Boost

Australia is predicted to engage in a “long war” with ISIS. The outgoing Chief of the Army said the country will continue to be in a prolonged mission against the terror group in Iraq and Syria.

Lt. Gen. David Morrison said the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS can make a difference in the fight but knowing when the mission will be over could be difficult. He added that using military force would be “acceptable” if the target would be ISIS.

Morrison told ABC that eventual outcomes may be difficult to determine but he believes the coalition can make a difference. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has sent 330 troops to help train the Iraqi government forces in April. He had previously refused to rule out the training mission lasting more than two years, reports The Guardian.

Together with their counterparts in New Zealand, Australian troops are involved in a training mission and was “currently planned to run for two years, with progress to be reviewed regularly.” Mr Abbott had reiterated that the important thing for Australia was to make an effective and meaningful contribution to global security.

The foiled Mother’s Day terror plot in Melbourne has prompted the Australian government to raise the budget to track down and capture terrorists before they attack. The boost in funding is expected to be worth $450 million, reports the Daily Telegraph.

The increase comes as Mr Abbott warned of young Australians who are being radicalised by supporters of extremist groups. The prime minister was briefed by the chiefs of the Australian Security and Intelligence Office and the Australian Federal Police about the counter-terrorism raids in Sydney and Melbourne last May 8.

Mr Abbott said he believes the threat of terrorist attacks has grown. The extra $450 million in the federal budget includes the $133 million compensation package to the country’s telecommunications companies that are now required by law to retain customer metadata for two years.

“Sadly, the death cult (ISIS) is reaching out to brainwash young people online and this is why we are allocating these extra resources to combat terrorist propaganda and counter violent extremism among individuals who have succumbed or are suspected to the lure of the death cult,” said Mr Abbott. He added that the extremist threat to Australia is “real and growing.”

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