Warrigal
SF VIP
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Like most western countries Australia has been dismayed to see some of our nationals going overseas to fight with ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Some of these have been active recruiters of impressionable young people in person and via social media.
Legislation is being presented in parliament this week to strip dual citizens of their Australian citizenship if they join foreign organisations like ISIS that are fighting against Australian interests. This already can happen if they fight for foreign armies; this is an extension of existing legislation.
There is some debate about whether it is better to take away their passports making it impossible to return home or to get them back here to prosecute them under the law. There's some merit both ways.
However, even better is to hear that they have been killed overseas and are no longer a problem.
This is what we have already heard about some Aussie jihadis and reports are indicating that two of the worst are now dead.
Of immediate concern is the boys that went overseas with their father and who have witnessed some unthinkable atrocities. Do we bring them home and try to repair them or leave them to their fate in Iraq ? This is a real moral dilemma.
Legislation is being presented in parliament this week to strip dual citizens of their Australian citizenship if they join foreign organisations like ISIS that are fighting against Australian interests. This already can happen if they fight for foreign armies; this is an extension of existing legislation.
There is some debate about whether it is better to take away their passports making it impossible to return home or to get them back here to prosecute them under the law. There's some merit both ways.
However, even better is to hear that they have been killed overseas and are no longer a problem.
This is what we have already heard about some Aussie jihadis and reports are indicating that two of the worst are now dead.
Since this pair slipped out of the country a lot of locals have had their passports revoked and are now unable to leave Australia. Their citizenship has not been removed. The AFP are monitoring a lot of people who have been brought to their attention in a number of ways, including being reported by other Muslims.Authorities are "imminently" close to confirming Australian terrorist Mohamed Elomar was killed in a US-led airstrike in Iraq, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says. But Ms Bishop has said verification was still being sought in relation to the reported death of Sydney man Khaled Sharrouf, who shot to worldwide attention when he and his son posed with the severed head of a Syrian fighter.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-polit...says-men-are-not-martyrs-20150622-ghuz42.html
Mohamed Elomar is believed to have had a significant influence on young Muslims in Australia. Photo: Supplied
The Pentagon said the global joint taskforce, which includes Australian forces, conducted seven air strikes in Syria and 22 in Iraq between 8am and 8pm on Thursday. Both men were reported killed late on Thursday evening in or near the Iraqi city of Mosul.
It is believed both men had their passports cancelled and warrants had been issued for their arrest by the Australian Federal Police.
Ms Bishop said the "criminal thugs" were not martyrs and were considered terrorists under a United Nations Security Council resolution.
"The likelihood of verification in relation to Mr Elomar is probably imminent. However, in relation to Mr Sharrouf we are still seeking to verify the reports," Ms Bishop told reporters at Parliament House on Tuesday.
Coalition fighters have been pounding Islamic State targets around Mosul in recent weeks. International news reports say that dozens of militants have been killed. The pair's potential demise is significant given they were two of Australia's most high-profile jihadists. Both boasted about their exploits via social media.
"We've had feedback from our intelligence agencies that they were being used as part of a recruitment campaign," Ms Bishop said.
Sharrouf's wife has expressed an interest in returning to Australia with their children – including the young boy who was photographed holding the severed head. The government has not ruled out allowing the family to return. "The circumstances of the families will be considered once the reports have been verified," Ms Bishop said.
Sharrouf and Elomar travelled to Syria in 2013 and then on to Iraq. Sharrouf, despite having served four years in jail on terrorism offences, slipped out of Australia on his brother's passport, a debacle which led to tighter airport security procedures. The pair were friends in extremist circles in western Sydney before they set off to become fighters for Islamic State. Their activities and those of other hardcore Australian extremists have helped drive significant changes to the nation's counterterrorism laws over the past 12 months.
Reports of their deaths come as the government prepares on Tuesday to introduce counterterrorism measures to MPs that are designed to strip dual-nationals of their citizenship if they take part in terrorist activities. The idea initially split cabinet but Ms Bishop – who was reported as one of the internal critics of the original proposal said on Tuesday she was satisfied with what has now been proposed.
"I'm confident the government has addressed the concerns that were raised," she said.
- with David Wroe
Of immediate concern is the boys that went overseas with their father and who have witnessed some unthinkable atrocities. Do we bring them home and try to repair them or leave them to their fate in Iraq ? This is a real moral dilemma.
