The Australian air forces’ offer to send spy planes in Marawi to help in the battle against islamist militants who seized the city has been accepted by the Philippine government.
Two Australian Defence Force AP-3C Orion planes will provide surveillance support to troops trying to retake Marawi City from the Maute Group, GMA News reported on Friday.
“The regional threat from terrorism, in particular from Daesh and foreign fighters, is a direct threat to Australia and our interests,” the report quoted Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne as saying in justifying the deployment of the aircraft.
Australia will be the latest country to join the month-old fight against the Maute rebels in Marawi. The U.S. is also providing surveillance plane to the Armed Forces of the Philippines to support troops in flushing out the militants.
The Indonesian and Malaysian navies are also partnering with the Philippine Navy in guarding the waters against terrorists and militants trying to extend the reach of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia.
credit: Wikimedia
