The Australian Federal Police has helped foil six terrorist attacks in the last 15 months in Australia and the surrounding region as jihadists pour in from the Middle East.
Some of the attacks stopped by agents from the AFP’s global operations team were only hours away from being carried out, The Australian reported.
They include joint operations conducted in Southeast Asia and the Sydney plane bomb plot thwarted in July.
The Australian Federal Police has helped foil six terrorist attacks in the last 15 months in Australia and the surrounding region as jihadists pour in from the Middle East (pictured are Philippine Army troopers fighting ISIS in Marawi)
Some of the attacks stopped by agents from the AFP’s global operations team were only hours away from being carried out (pictured is a home raided by police over terror plot)
The news comes as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) calls for a new law allowing terror suspects to be held for 14 days without charge
AFP Assistant Commissioner for International Operations Scott Lee confirmed five attacks in Southeast Asia have been prevented with AFP help since July 2015.
‘There is one in particular that involved heavy engagement,’ he said.
Mr Lee said the AFP was heavily involved in anti-terror efforts in Indonesia, and flagged The Phillipines as a growing concern due to an influx of foreign fighters.
‘When you look at the military situation [ISIS facing defeat in the Middle East], once you have more of these foreign fighters … it will change the dynamic to the threat elsewhere,’ he said.
AFP Assistant Commissioner for International Operations Scott Lee confirmed five attacks in Southeast Asia have been prevented with AFP help since July 2015 (pictured are Philippine Army troops fighting ISIS)
The Five Eyes intelligence alliance led to police raids across several Sydney suburbs (pictured)
Mr Lee stressed the importance of Australia’s Five Eyes security partners – the US, UK, New Zealand, Canada and Europol.
That policing network was instrumental in stopping the most recent domestic terror plot, with intelligence from Britain leading to raids across several Sydney suburbs.
Brothers Khaled and Mahmoud Khayat were arrested and charged with acting in preparation for a terrorist act over an alleged plot to bring down a plane.
The news comes as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull calls for a new law allowing terror suspects to be held for 14 days without charge.
Pictured above are the AFP’s Scott Lee (left) and Justice Minister Michael Keenan (right)
Mr Turnbull also wants to outlaw the possession of ‘instructional terrorist material’ and the making of terrorism hoaxes, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
A Council of Australian Governments meeting will consider all three proposals in Canberra on Thursday.
Mr Turnbull said terror laws should be consistent across all states and territories, as in states such as Queensland suspects may need to be released after eight hours.
‘It’s vital that we have nationally consistent terrorism laws. I’m asking state and territory leaders to work with me to deliver safety and security,’ said Mr Turnbull.
Brothers Khaled (pictured) and Mahmoud Khayat were arrested and charged with acting in preparation for a terrorist act over an alleged plot to bring down a plane
Police operations have prevented 13 planned terror attacks since September 2014, and five attacks have been carried out in Australia (pictured are Sydney terror raids)
‘We need nationally consistent pre-charge detention laws so that those who seek to do us harm can be held to account no matter where they are.’
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said terrorism is a global issue and the AFP must work with international partners to tackle the problem.
The AFP has 230 officers working in global operations, spread between counter-terrorism, child protection, drug trafficking and organised crime.
Of those officers, 80 are based in Southeast Asia.
Police operations have prevented 13 planned terror attacks since September 2014, and five attacks have been carried out in Australia.
The AFP has 230 officers working in global operations, spread between counter-terrorism, child protection, drug trafficking and organised crime including 80 in Southeast Asia
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