Reuters – Oct 2, 2014 – Australian fighter jets have been authorized to begin striking Islamic State insurgents in Iraq, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Friday, joining a U.S.-led coalition that aims to roll back gains by the insurgent group in the Middle East.
Abbott said that Australian Special Forces troops would also be deployed on the ground in Iraq in an “advice and assist” capacity to support the Iraqi army in their battle against the militant Islamist group.