Australia Rejects US Request to Increase Military Presence in Middle East
15:46 13.01.2016
Australia has rejected a US request to increase its military presence in the Middle East following the terrorist attacks in Paris, a spokesperson for the country's Defense Minister said Wednesday.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Canberra received the request from Washington in December.
'Australia has considered the request from US Secretary of Defence, Ash Carter, in light of the substantial contributions we are already making to train Iraqi security forces and to the air campaign. The Government has advised Secretary Carter that our existing contributions will continue,' the spokesperson said, as quoted by the national broadcaster ABC.
According to the official, Washington asked some 40 countries to increase their military commitment, including those in Europe.
In 2014, Australia dispatched six Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets to Iraq to participate in military operations.
The US-led international coalition of around 60 nations, including Australia, has been conducting airstrikes against Daesh in Iraq and Syria since August 2014.
© Sputnik
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