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Tony Abbott makes surprise visit to Iraq to discuss fight against Isis Tony Abbott makes surprise visit to Iraq to discuss fight against Isis
(34 minutes later)
The Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott, made an unannounced visit to Baghdad on Sunday, meeting with top officials to discuss ways in which the country can aid Iraqi forces in their fight against Islamic State (Isis).The Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott, made an unannounced visit to Baghdad on Sunday, meeting with top officials to discuss ways in which the country can aid Iraqi forces in their fight against Islamic State (Isis).
Abbott and the Iraqi prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, discussed military cooperation between the two countries, including the training and equipping of Iraqi soldiers, state television reported. The Iraqi army collapsed last summer in the face of a blitz by Isis, which now holds about a third of Iraq and neighboring Syria in its self-declared caliphate. Abbott and the Iraqi prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, discussed military cooperation between the two countries, including the training and equipping of Iraqi soldiers, state television reported. The Iraqi army collapsed last summer in the face of a blitz by Isis, which now holds about a third of Iraq and neighbouring Syria in its self-declared caliphate.
During a joint news conference, Abbott said that his country is determined to provide all kinds of support to Iraq in its war against terrorism. He vowed to enhance cooperation between the two countries. During a joint news conference, Abbott said his country was determined to provide all kinds of support to Iraq in its war against terrorism. He vowed to enhance cooperation between the two countries.
Australian fighter jets are bombing Isis targets in northern Iraq as part of a US-led coalition and 200 Australian special forces troops will soon enter Iraq to advise and assist local security forces.Australian fighter jets are bombing Isis targets in northern Iraq as part of a US-led coalition and 200 Australian special forces troops will soon enter Iraq to advise and assist local security forces.
Meanwhile on Sunday, police said mortar shells slammed into several houses in the Shia village of Sabaa al-Bour, about 20 miles (30 kilometres) north of Baghdad, killing four people and wounding seven.Meanwhile on Sunday, police said mortar shells slammed into several houses in the Shia village of Sabaa al-Bour, about 20 miles (30 kilometres) north of Baghdad, killing four people and wounding seven.
Elsewhere, police said a bomb blast on a commercial street killed two people and wounded six in western Baghdad.Elsewhere, police said a bomb blast on a commercial street killed two people and wounded six in western Baghdad.
On Sunday night, two bombs exploded in downtown Baghdad, killing three people and wounding 10, police said. A sticky bomb attached to a minibus also exploded, killing two passengers and wounding three, police said.On Sunday night, two bombs exploded in downtown Baghdad, killing three people and wounding 10, police said. A sticky bomb attached to a minibus also exploded, killing two passengers and wounding three, police said.
Medical officials confirmed the casualties. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to journalists.Medical officials confirmed the casualties. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to journalists.