Australian ISIS fighters believed dead in Iraq and Syria

  • Australian ISIS fighters are believed to have been killed in the Middle East
  • Two Australians fighting for the Islamic State believed to have died last week
  • Ms Bishop said sharing intelligence with Middle Eastern countries was crucial 

Australian Islamic State fighters are believed to have been killed in the Middle East in the past week, according to Acting Prime Minister Julie Bishop.

Ms Bishop is in Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit, and received intelligence from the Five Eyes network that two Australians fighting for ISIS in Syria and Iraq are suspected to have been killed.

‘ISIS will continue losing territory in its remaining positions in eastern Syria from the north and the south. This loss of territory is matched by loss of ISIS fighters,’ she told the Daily Telegraph.

Acting Prime Minister Julie Bishop (centre) is in Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit

Ms Bishop said sharing of intelligence with Middle Eastern countries was key to tracking extremists.

‘The government estimates at least 68 and possibly as many as 87 Australians have been killed as a result of their involvement in the conflict in Syria and Iraq.’

She said as the conflict in the region continues some terrorists will seek to flee, and sharing information with other nations would allow Australia to keep an eye on them.

‘Improved international co-operation and information sharing with countries like Turkey will prevent their movement.’

The Five Eyes intelligence network comprises Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

It is not known how old the Australians killed in the Middle East were, but many of those who travelled to the region to fight for ISIS were young men aged in the teens or 20s. 

Two Australian Islamic State fighters are believed to have been killed in the Middle East in the past week (stock image)

Two Australian Islamic State fighters are believed to have been killed in the Middle East in the past week (stock image)

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk