Australia is very likely to turn down a request made by the US to send in more military support in the Middle East to fight the ISIS. The request was made by US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter to Australian and other partners, earlier this week.

According to Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne, Australia has already made substantial contribution in the fight against the ISIS, though its efforts are subject to constant review. She noted that Australia would consider waiting for other nations to intensify their roles before considering any further expansion in its own.

“The Australian government is currently making a significant contribution and would welcome other like-minded countries making greater contributions where possible,” Payne said in a statement.

Australia has employed six F/A-18 Hornets, an E7-A Wedgetail airborne warning aircraft and a KC-30A tanker aircraft in the war against the ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Moreover 300 Australian troops, along with 100 New Zealanders have been sent to Iraq to train the Iraqi army. Another 80 Australian special forces are advising the Iraqi counter-terrorism service.

"Along with, as I understand it, 40 other or so nations we have received correspondence from the US secretary of defence which we're considering at the moment," the ABC quoted the defence minister Payne as saying. "We of course are making a very significant commitment in the Iraq and Syria conflict at the moment, one which we are pleased to see other nations joining in more recently as well.”

Payne added that till now the request doesn’t include sending Australian troops to the ground. The coalition partners have been asked to see whether it would be feasible for them to do more than what they are already. Payne said that Australia would respond to the request in due course.

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