Australia rejects US plea for more help
Malcolm Turnbull is likely to reject a fresh request from the US for more military help to fight Islamic State, arguing Australia is doing enough already.
The Weekend West can reveal US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter asked the Government this week for more military assets for the US-led effort against IS.
But the Government is wary of committing more forces to the conflict, arguing it is already the second biggest contributor to the war after the US.
“The Australian Government is making a significant contribution and would welcome other like-minded countries making greater contributions where possible,” Defence Minister Marise Payne said.
“The Australian Government continues to keep our contribution under review in consultation with our coalition partners.”
The plea for more troops and other military assets was sent to 40 US allies. It is understood it was aimed more at encouraging European and Arab nations to help fight IS in Iraq and Syria, with the US sympathetic to Australia’s claim it already pulls its weight.
It is believed the Americans are frustrated that despite European nations having domestic terror problems, they are reluctant to take on the issue at its source in Iraq and Syria.
Speaking to the US Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, Mr Carter said the international community must step up before another attack like in Paris.
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He said he asked partner countries for special operations forces, strike and reconnaissance aircraft, weapons and munitions, and training teams. He said everyone must do more.
US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford said this week America hoped special forces from other countries would soon join the fight against IS.
The Pentagon plans to send a special forces group to Iraq to take on the Sunni extremist group — possibly in ground combat.
Australia has about 400 Diggers training Iraqi forces and an air task group that includes six F/A-18 Hornet strike jets. The small number of special forces Diggers in Iraq do not fight.
