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Australia begins aerial support mission in Iraq; no combat mandate

On Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott informed Parliament "Australian aircraft from today will start flying over Iraq in support of allied operations."

By JC Finley
Tony Abbott, prime minister of Australia, on September 25, 2014. (UPI /Monika Graff)
Tony Abbott, prime minister of Australia, on September 25, 2014. (UPI /Monika Graff) | License Photo

CANBERRA, Australia, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced Wednesday that Australia's military has begun its support mission in Iraq to aid U.S. and other coalition aircraft.

Neither the Australian nor Iraqi governments has yet authorized Australia's military to conduct military airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq.

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"I stress ours are support operations, not strike missions," Abbott said in his address to Parliament on Wednesday.

Although Australia has not yet committed to a combat role in Iraq, the government pre-deployed eight super hornet strike fighters, a Wedgetail early warning and control aircraft, a KC-30 refueler and a special forces contingent to the Middle East in September.

The refueler and Wedgetail, Abbott told Parliament, will be used to carry out Australia's support mission.

"Australian airstrikes await final clearances from the Iraqi Government and a further decision by our own."

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