Australia considers US request for airstrikes in Syria

AUSTRALIA is considering a US request to launch airstrikes against Islamic State fighters in Syria in an unprecedented departure from Australian foreign policy that could spark political disputes.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said yesterday his government had received a request from the Pentagon to send Australia’s six F/A-18 Super Hornet jet fighters based in to attack the stronghold.

The war planes have been striking Islamic State targets in northern Iraq since October last year. But Australia has balked at war in Syria without the invitation of a legitimate Syrian government or the firm legal basis of a United Nation Security Council resolution.

Mr Abbott said the government had yet to decide on the Dubai into militants in Syria their request, although it is thought the US does not make such official requests without first gaining an undertaking that they will succeed.

“While there is a little difference between the legalities of airstrikes on either side of the border, there’s no difference in the morality,” Mr Abbott said.

“In the end, when they don’t respect the border, the question is: why should we?” he said, referring to Islamic State militants who have declared a caliphate that straddles the Iraq-syria border.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten said he pressed Mr Abbott about the legality of an Australian combat involvement during a briefing on Syria next week.

“We will be seeking an explanation of the legal basis upon the proposition which the United States has asked us - is it legal, what the United States has asked us to do?” Mr Shorten said.