Unlikely SAS will fight in Iraq: Bishop
Expanding the role of Australia's special forces in Iraq beyond advice and assistance is unlikely, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says.
Australian commandos have been cleared to provide such support to Iraqi troops on the ground fighting Islamic State militants.
But in the wake of Australian Super Hornets stepping up the nation's involvement with the bombing of targets, Ms Bishop said she didn't expect the SAS would actively engage in the conflict.
"For some weeks, our special forces have been pre-deployed and are ready to advise and assist Iraqi defence forces to enable them to have the capability to combat ISIL and other terrorist organisations," she told reporters in Perth.
"I have an expectation that our special forces will be required to take that role at some point.
"We haven't been asked to provide anything beyond advising and assisting, and I don't envisage the involvement of special forces going beyond that.
"Our mission is essentially humanitarian: there have been concerns about genocide, about mass executions, killings, beheadings, crucifixions ... so Australia is prepared to play a proportionate role within a coalition of other countries."
