Australia Joins U.S. Airstrikes Against Islamic State

Australia announced Friday that it had joined in U.S.-led airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said special forces and military airstrikes had been deployed to combat the terrorist organization. "Today, cabinet has authorised Australian air strikes in Iraq at the request of the Iraqi government and in support of the Iraqi government," Abbott said.

"Also, subject to final legal documentation, cabinet has authorised the deployment of Australian special forces into Iraq to advise and assist Iraqi forces."

Abbott went on to say that Australia's contribution to the current anti-Islamic State strategy is but a small part compared to the larger role countries like the U.S., Great Britain, and some of its Arab allies are playing.

"The Americans certainly have quite a substantial special forces component on the ground already," Abbott continued.

"My understanding is that there are UK and Canadian special forces already inside Iraq, so we'll be operating on a much smaller scale but in an entirely comparable way to the United States special forces."

Australia's decision to join the counter-terrorism effort abroad came after it had a terrorist scare at home, when the country's intelligence announced earlier in September that it had received credible information that the Islamic State was plotting an attack on Australian soil to show how far its reach extended.

Abbott said at a press conference last month that he was told the Islamic State was planning to behead a random passerby publically in Sydney.