CANBERRA, Australia: The Australian forces will join the US-led coalition carrying out airstrikes against Islamic State targets in northern Iraq.
“Today, cabinet has authorized Australian airstrikes in Iraq at the request of the Iraqi government and in support of the Iraqi government,” the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Friday.
Abbott said that his cabinet has given preliminary approval to the deployment of special forces to the Arab country.
“Also, subject to final legal documentation, cabinet has authorized the deployment of Australian special forces into Iraq to advise and assist Iraqi forces,” he said.