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Troops preparing for war in Iraq

The Prime Minister has announced Australia will prepare and deploy a military force to the Middle East within days.

Tony Abbott has received a specific request from the United States to contribute forces to possible military action in Iraq.

It comes after the Government raised Australian's public terrorism alert level from medium to high on Friday.

The Prime Minister says the threat of the Islamic State is growing, as the extremist group increases control over large parts of Iraq and Syria.

"The beheading of a British aid worker is further demonstration that this particular terrorist group does not just do evil but exalts in doing evil," he said.

A screenshot of a video reportedly showing the execution of David Haines


At least 60 Australians are believed to be working with terrorist groups in the Middle East.

The military force will comprise eight super hornet aircraft, an early warning and control aircraft, an aerial refueling aircraft and a special forces contingent.

200 troops will be sent to the United Arab emirates in the coming days, followed by a further 400 air force personnel.

At least seven other countries are expected to join the campaign.

The Prime Minister stressed deployment did not mean Australia was at war.

"This is essentially a humanitarian operation to protect millions of people in Iraq from the murderous rage of the IS movement," Mr Abbott said.

"If we are to protect from IS it is important to have the capacity to disrupt and degrade IS operations."

The Prime Minister has not indicated how long the force will be deployed for.

Earlier, a warning that Muslim extremists could attack members of the military in Australia was sent out out to army officers.

The warning of such a terrorist attack went out just 48 hours before The Prime Minister increased the public terrorism alert, News Corp Australia reported on Sunday.

It says the Defence Security Authority, which advises the Chief of the Defence Force on how to manage security risks in Australia, warns in the memo of the need to be vigilant and report any verbal threats.

Marked Security Intelligence Report, the memo details verbal threats made against a uniformed officer who was approached by a group of young men and told to go to the Middle East so we can "blow your f***in head off", News Corp reports.

Anti-terror drill in Sydney. Source: Getty Images


The incident was reportedly witnessed by a large group of people but the ADF member walked away from the scene.

The memo underlined the risks of an attack such as that on British army soldier, Fusilier Drummer Lee Rigby, who was run down by a car then hacked to death on a London street by Muslim extremists in May last year.

Tony Abbott speaking with Army personnel in September 2013. Source: Getty Images


Morning News Break - September 14