Aussies to Train Philippines Forces in Battle Against Islamic State Terrorists

Australia will send specialist military advisers to the Philippines to help local forces in their fight against Islamic State terrorists. Defence Minister Marise Payne made the announcement Friday after meeting with Philippines Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana in Manila.

“We are very committed to supporting the Philippines in its efforts to defend itself against terrorist threats,” Senator Payne said. “Not only because we support our friends but because it’s important for Australia as well. This is a threat to the region we all need to work together to defeat.”

ABC News reports that small teams of Australian trainers will be sent in the first instance. They will be confined to military bases and will not directly fight alongside local soldiers in the main area of confrontation around the city of Marawi in the Philippines’ southern province of Mindanao.

As Breitbart News reported, this is not the first time Australia has stepped up to help its regional ally in its fight against terrorism. In July, Australia sent two high-tech Orion surveillance planes to provide Filipinos with battlefield intelligence.

Senator Payne said Islamic militants returning from the Middle East posed a serious threat to countries across South-East Asia, including the Philippines.

“They are battle-hardened. They are well-trained. They are very determined,” she said. “We need to ensure that as participants in this part of the world that our respective forces are as well-trained, as well-engaged together as they can be, to address that challenge.”

Mr Lorenzana said the Philippines already had sufficient troops fighting on the ground so the Australians will not be needed in day-to-day battle, rather they will pass on training, skills and advice.

“It would not look good if we would be needing troops to fight the war here. We are happy with the assistance we’re getting from Australia,” he said.

Australia has broad experience in training foreign forces in the fight against Islamic State.

Since May 2015, Australian troops have worked with more than 23,000 Iraqi Security Forces training them in urban warfare, including close quarter and street-by-street combat and the use of canon-mounted armoured personnel carriers.

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