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Australia's most-senior Isis recruiter 'killed in Iraq air strike' | Australia's most-senior Isis recruiter 'killed in Iraq air strike' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
An Australian man, understood to be a top recruiter for Isis and linked to a string of failed terror attacks in Australia, has been killed in an air strike in Iraq, Australian officials have said. | An Australian man, understood to be a top recruiter for Isis and linked to a string of failed terror attacks in Australia, has been killed in an air strike in Iraq, Australian officials have said. |
Neil Prakash, who appeared in Isis videos and magazines and had been linked to calls for lone-wolf attacks against the United States, was killed in a targeted air strike in Mosul on 29 April, said Attorney-General George Brandis, citing US intelligence advice. | Neil Prakash, who appeared in Isis videos and magazines and had been linked to calls for lone-wolf attacks against the United States, was killed in a targeted air strike in Mosul on 29 April, said Attorney-General George Brandis, citing US intelligence advice. |
Prakash was considered the most-senior Australian militant fighting with the group and actively recruited Australian men, women and children, encouraging acts of terrorism, Mr Brandis said. | Prakash was considered the most-senior Australian militant fighting with the group and actively recruited Australian men, women and children, encouraging acts of terrorism, Mr Brandis said. |
The 24-year-old, also known as Abu Khaled al-Cambodi, was an Australian citizen of Cambodian and Fijian heritage. A former rapper from Melbourne city, he converted from Buddhism in 2012 and is believed to have relocated to Syria in 2014. | The 24-year-old, also known as Abu Khaled al-Cambodi, was an Australian citizen of Cambodian and Fijian heritage. A former rapper from Melbourne city, he converted from Buddhism in 2012 and is believed to have relocated to Syria in 2014. |
He joined two other Australian fighters, Mohamed Elomar and Khaled Sharrouf, on a UN sanctions list. Both Elomar and Sharrouf appeared in images last year holding the severed heads of Syrian soldiers. | He joined two other Australian fighters, Mohamed Elomar and Khaled Sharrouf, on a UN sanctions list. Both Elomar and Sharrouf appeared in images last year holding the severed heads of Syrian soldiers. |
Last year, Australia announced final sanctions against Prakash, including a warning that anyone found to be aiding him financially could face jail time of up to 10 years. | |
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told Sky News: "Neil Prakash's death is a very, very positive development in the war […] against terror.” | Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told Sky News: "Neil Prakash's death is a very, very positive development in the war […] against terror.” |
“He has been a leading recruiter for Daesh by encouraging people to go and fight with them in Syria and Iraq and of course he has promoted terrorist attacks.” | “He has been a leading recruiter for Daesh by encouraging people to go and fight with them in Syria and Iraq and of course he has promoted terrorist attacks.” |
Mr Brandis said the US government also advised that a second Australian citizen, Shadi Jabar, was killed on 22 April in a US air strike near Al Bab, Syria. | Mr Brandis said the US government also advised that a second Australian citizen, Shadi Jabar, was killed on 22 April in a US air strike near Al Bab, Syria. |
The woman was the cousin of Farhad Jabr – the 15-year-old boy who shot dead police accountant, Curtis Cheng, in Sydney last year. | The woman was the cousin of Farhad Jabr – the 15-year-old boy who shot dead police accountant, Curtis Cheng, in Sydney last year. |
Australia has formally declared Isis a terrorist organisation, meaning dual citizens could have their Australian citizenship revoked if found to be a member of the terror group. | Australia has formally declared Isis a terrorist organisation, meaning dual citizens could have their Australian citizenship revoked if found to be a member of the terror group. |
Isis is the first organisation to be formally labelled a terror group under Australia’s new Allegiance to Australia Act. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said Isis was, “both engaging in acts of terrorism and is opposed to Australia and its interests.” | |
Additional reporting by agencies | Additional reporting by agencies |
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