Smoke rises in the Syrian town of Kobani as it is seen from the Turkish border town of Suruc in Sanliurfa province, Turkey, June 25, 2015.
Smoke rises in the Syrian town of Kobani as it is seen from the Turkish border town of Suruc in Sanliurfa province, Turkey, June 25, 2015. Islamic State fighters launched simultaneous attacks against the Syrian government and Kurdish militia overnight, moving back onto the offensive after losing ground in recent days to Kurdish-led forces near the capital of their "caliphate." Reuters/Ali Sahin

Australia's military bid in Syria will last around two to three years, according to Defence Minister Kevin Andrews. The Australian government will not be softening its hardline border protection policies in light of fighting the humanitarian crisis.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said last Wednesday that Australia will commence airstrikes in Syria after the United State's official request. This is part of the offensive air efforts fighting extremist targets in the region. The minister also said that the government will be helping an extra 12,000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees resettle in Australia. This is on top of the country's 13,750 humanitarian intake every year.

“There is a world of difference between people in that situation and people who have done a deal with people smugglers to go way beyond the country of first asylum,” Abbott said. “There is just a world of difference and we will never ever do anything that encourages the evil trade of people smuggling.”

Abbott did however contradict Andrews’ claims about setting a specific timeline on the country’s military engagement in Iraq. The defence minister said he expects to remain in the area for a number of years, although there will be a year by year review. He emphasised the goal is to see a peaceful and hopeful Iraq.

According to News.com.au, RAAF Hornet strike jets are on course to hit Islamic State training camps and command centres in Syria during cross border bombing missions from Iraq. Andrews stressed that Australian jets and their young pilots will be out of harm's way from any Syrian anti-aircraft weapons attack. He discussed how the Syrian military are in the western part of the country as opposed to being near ISIS-dominated regions.

“They will de conflict any activities that we will be involved with in terms of our aircraft,” the defence official said. “We know that ISIS carry out a lot of their activities over the border in eastern Syria."

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