Government forces of the Philippines during their send-off ceremony ending their combat duty against pro-IS groups in Marawi city, southern Philippines on October 21. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Australia on October 24 announced the expansion of itssecurity support to the Philippines, which will involve training in cities, tofight the rise and spread of Islamist militants.
The announcement follows the end of the 154-day battle against IS-backedmilitants in Marawi city on southern island of Mindanao.
Speaking at a briefing on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ MeetingPlus in the Philippines, Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne said that allnations must learn from the recent Marawi conflict and the Philippines’experience.
She said the spread of IS-inspired terrorism is a direct threat to Australiaand its interests. Therefore, Australia is committed to working with itspartners and allies to ensuring IS cannot establish a geographic foothold inthe region.
About 80 soldiers from Australia’s mobiletraining team will be deployed in local bases in the Philippines to train armyand marine units in urban counter-terrorism warfare.
The practical training the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) will provide will ensurethe Philippines defense force is better able to counter the brutal tacticsbeing employed by terrorists, said Payne.
Apart from urban warfare training, Australia will also increase the sharing ofinformation and intelligence, and strengthen maritime security engagement andbilateral maritime patrols.
An increasing number of Australian warships are expected to make visits toManila.
The Philippines and Australia are now reviewing the deployment of surveillanceplanes, which flew four times a week over Marawi since late June.
Philippines authorities said after the five-month combat, Philippine securityforces killed 919 IS militants. Meanwhile, 165 Government troops lost theirlives in the conflict, which displaced about 400,000 people.-VNA
VNA
