This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-29245611
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Australia launches anti-terror raids in Sydney and Brisbane | Australia launches anti-terror raids in Sydney and Brisbane |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Australian police have made 15 arrests in Sydney and Brisbane, in what they say is the nation's biggest counter-terrorism operation. | Australian police have made 15 arrests in Sydney and Brisbane, in what they say is the nation's biggest counter-terrorism operation. |
| At least 800 heavily armed officers raided properties in the two cities. | At least 800 heavily armed officers raided properties in the two cities. |
| Police said the operation disrupted plans to "commit violent acts". One reported plan was the random beheading of a member of the public. | Police said the operation disrupted plans to "commit violent acts". One reported plan was the random beheading of a member of the public. |
| The terror threat is high because of concern over the domestic impact of the Iraq and Syria conflicts. | The terror threat is high because of concern over the domestic impact of the Iraq and Syria conflicts. |
| Police said the raids were being carried out in the western parts of Sydney and Brisbane's south. | Police said the raids were being carried out in the western parts of Sydney and Brisbane's south. |
| Acting Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police Andrew Colvin said that the operation was ongoing and officers were still out in the field. | Acting Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police Andrew Colvin said that the operation was ongoing and officers were still out in the field. |
| "We're continuing with the search warrants and this operational activity. So the safety of our officers and the safety of the community is absolutely paramount at the moment," he said. | "We're continuing with the search warrants and this operational activity. So the safety of our officers and the safety of the community is absolutely paramount at the moment," he said. |
| "What I can say though is that 25 warrants across Sydney have been executed, 15 people have been detained at this stage and there is one person [who] has been charged with serious terrorism-related offences." | "What I can say though is that 25 warrants across Sydney have been executed, 15 people have been detained at this stage and there is one person [who] has been charged with serious terrorism-related offences." |
| Mr Colvin said that the authorities had acted on intelligence indicating that a violent attack was being planned on Australian soil. | Mr Colvin said that the authorities had acted on intelligence indicating that a violent attack was being planned on Australian soil. |
| "What we saw today in the operation that continues was very much about police disrupting the potential for violence against the Australian community at the earliest possible opportunity," he said. | "What we saw today in the operation that continues was very much about police disrupting the potential for violence against the Australian community at the earliest possible opportunity," he said. |
| Police would not comment on reports that those arrested had links to Islamic State. | Police would not comment on reports that those arrested had links to Islamic State. |
| One media report said a plot involved beheading a random member of the public after draping them in an Islamic State flag. | |
| Separately, in one part of Sydney, death threats were shouted from a car bearing a flag of Islamic State militants near a church, Australia's Sydney Morning Herald reported. | Separately, in one part of Sydney, death threats were shouted from a car bearing a flag of Islamic State militants near a church, Australia's Sydney Morning Herald reported. |
| A local priest was quoted as saying the people in the vehicle threatened to "kill the Christians". | A local priest was quoted as saying the people in the vehicle threatened to "kill the Christians". |
| Last week, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the country had raised its terror threat level to high amid concerns of the growing number of Australians "working with, connected to or inspired by" Islamist groups. | Last week, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the country had raised its terror threat level to high amid concerns of the growing number of Australians "working with, connected to or inspired by" Islamist groups. |
| Officials say dozens of Australians have gone to fight for jihadist groups such as Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra (also known as the al-Nusra Front) in the Middle East. | Officials say dozens of Australians have gone to fight for jihadist groups such as Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra (also known as the al-Nusra Front) in the Middle East. |
| Officials are worried about the impact of both returning fighters and supporters of these groups on domestic security. | Officials are worried about the impact of both returning fighters and supporters of these groups on domestic security. |
| At least 60 Australians are believed to be fighting with jihadist groups in Syria and northern Iraq, and 15 Australians have been killed so far in these conflicts, including two suicide bombers. | At least 60 Australians are believed to be fighting with jihadist groups in Syria and northern Iraq, and 15 Australians have been killed so far in these conflicts, including two suicide bombers. |
| About 100 more Australians are thought to be actively supporting these groups, they say. | About 100 more Australians are thought to be actively supporting these groups, they say. |
| Last week, police raided an Islamic centre in Queensland and arrested two men. | Last week, police raided an Islamic centre in Queensland and arrested two men. |
| It is the first time Australia has moved from medium to high - the second-highest rank - since the threat level system was introduced in 2003. | It is the first time Australia has moved from medium to high - the second-highest rank - since the threat level system was introduced in 2003. |
| "Medium" means an attack could occur. "High" means an attack is likely and "extreme" means an attack is imminent or has occurred. | "Medium" means an attack could occur. "High" means an attack is likely and "extreme" means an attack is imminent or has occurred. |
| Are you in Sydney or Brisbane? Did you witness the counter-terrorism operation? Tell us your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Are you in Sydney or Brisbane? Did you witness the counter-terrorism operation? Tell us your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |