Australia Joins U.S. In War On Terror Against ISIS Aggression In Iraq

Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, has taken the decision that his country will join America in the war on terror, and is reportedly sending vital military equipment to Kurdish forces in Northern Iraq as soon as possible.

Although somewhat of a controversial move, Abbott told reporters in Canberra on Sunday, “This is about what is right for our country and what is best for our world.”

He described ISIS (also known as the Islamic State or ISIL) which has taken over parts of Syria and Iraq recently, as being a specific type of terrorist who “hate us not because of what we do, but because of what we are.”

Abbott had already allegedly agreed to join forces with the U.S. in humanitarian airdrops in northern Iraq, but is now deepening Australia’s involvement.

In a statement on Sunday, the Australian prime minister said, “Australia will join international partners to help the anti-ISIL forces in Iraq. The situation in Iraq represents a humanitarian catastrophe.”

Some MP’s in Australia are outraged though, as reported by the Australian, that Abbott took the decision without consulting Parliament. Independent Andrew Wilkie is said to have told reporters in Hobart that the cabinet should have had input on the matter.

“If Tony Abbott wants us to be gun runners for the Kurds at the behest of the United States then we are part of the war,” he said.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison declined to comment on reports Australia could also be asked to consider deploying Super Hornets for air strikes.

“We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves,” he told Sky News, adding, “Defining the mission and the objective was critical. Let’s not kid ourselves either, (IS) does present a threat. What we’re seeing there is evil incarnate.”

Tanya Plibersek, Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman, was more supportive of the move to fight ISIS:

“Where you have reasonably effective fighting force… being the only thing standing between IS and civilian populations… at risk of genocide or ethic cleansing, then there is an international crisis.”

The U.S. has stepped up its strikes against Islamic militants in northern Iraq this month, and is considering extending air strikes to Syria.