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Australian Isis fighters reportedly killed in Iraq Australian Isis fighters reportedly killed in Iraq
(about 1 hour later)
Julie Bishop says the Australian government cannot yet verify reports that two of Australia’s most wanted Islamic State fighters have been killed in northern Iraq.Julie Bishop says the Australian government cannot yet verify reports that two of Australia’s most wanted Islamic State fighters have been killed in northern Iraq.
The foreign minister acknowledged that the federal government was aware of reports Isis recruits Khaled Sharrouf and Mohammed Elomar were dead following fighting in Mosul.The foreign minister acknowledged that the federal government was aware of reports Isis recruits Khaled Sharrouf and Mohammed Elomar were dead following fighting in Mosul.
The reports said the pair, who travelled to Syria in 2013 and then to Iraq, had been killed in the past week by a drone strike.The reports said the pair, who travelled to Syria in 2013 and then to Iraq, had been killed in the past week by a drone strike.
“We don’t have any information at present to verify whether or not these reports are correct,” Bishop said on Monday night. But she said it was likely verification of Elomar’s fate was “imminent”, because he was known to have been in Mosul when airstrikes and drone attacks were carried out.“We don’t have any information at present to verify whether or not these reports are correct,” Bishop said on Monday night. But she said it was likely verification of Elomar’s fate was “imminent”, because he was known to have been in Mosul when airstrikes and drone attacks were carried out.
“You will be aware that in both al-Raqqa province in Syria and in Mosul in Iraq we have declared these areas off limits for Australians who have no legitimate purpose for being there,” she said.“You will be aware that in both al-Raqqa province in Syria and in Mosul in Iraq we have declared these areas off limits for Australians who have no legitimate purpose for being there,” she said.
Both men have warrants out for their arrest, and have had their Australian passports cancelled. Travelling to a declared zone carries with it a penalty of up to 10 years’ jail.Both men have warrants out for their arrest, and have had their Australian passports cancelled. Travelling to a declared zone carries with it a penalty of up to 10 years’ jail.
“So it’s difficult for us to gain the kind of information that would be needed to verify these reports at this stage,” Bishop said.“So it’s difficult for us to gain the kind of information that would be needed to verify these reports at this stage,” Bishop said.
“Our security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies will be working to verify these reports but I stress it’s very difficult to gain the information necessary given that it is a war zone,” Bishop said.“Our security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies will be working to verify these reports but I stress it’s very difficult to gain the information necessary given that it is a war zone,” Bishop said.
Coalition backbencher Luke Simpkin said the deaths were “good news” and that he “hopes they’re confirmed”.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten concurred, admitting that he will “shed no tears” if the news is verified.
The foreign minister would not be drawn on reports last month that Sharrouf’s family wanted to return to Australia, saying those were “details we’ll consider” if and when the deaths were confirmed.The foreign minister would not be drawn on reports last month that Sharrouf’s family wanted to return to Australia, saying those were “details we’ll consider” if and when the deaths were confirmed.
Shorten is urging compassion for the men’s children.
“I feel very much for the children. For me the wellbeing of the children is what’s important. In terms of the wife, we need to get a briefing from the government on what’s happening,” the opposition leader said.
A terrorism expert from Monash University, Greg Barton, told ABC TV on Tuesday that Sharrouf’s children should not be barred from returning to Australia.A terrorism expert from Monash University, Greg Barton, told ABC TV on Tuesday that Sharrouf’s children should not be barred from returning to Australia.
“No kids deserve to be taken into a war zone and to see the things those kids have been taken into. Any chance of bringing them home would be very welcome,” he said.“No kids deserve to be taken into a war zone and to see the things those kids have been taken into. Any chance of bringing them home would be very welcome,” he said.
Sharrouf and Elomar gained notoriety last year when they posed in photos holding the severed heads of enemy fighters. A son of Sharrouf’s was also photographed holding a severed head.Sharrouf and Elomar gained notoriety last year when they posed in photos holding the severed heads of enemy fighters. A son of Sharrouf’s was also photographed holding a severed head.
Bishop said the two men had been “notorious for their violence and barbarity”.Bishop said the two men had been “notorious for their violence and barbarity”.
“These two men are not martyrs; they are criminal thugs,” she said.“These two men are not martyrs; they are criminal thugs,” she said.