AUSTRALIA: PM Seeks to Change Domestic Laws to Protect ADF From Prosecution in War on Terror September 01

AUSTRALIA: PM Seeks to Change Domestic Laws to Protect ADF From Prosecution in War on Terror September 01

A FRIGHTENING new Islamic State magazine has encouraged lone wolves to attack and kill Australians in public acts of terror.

“Kill them on the streets of Brunswick, Broadmeadows, Bankstown, and Bondi. Kill them at the MCG, the SCG, the Opera House, and even in their backyards,” an article published on Monday in the new English-language online periodical urged.

“Stab them, shoot them, poison them, and run them down with your vehicles.

“Kill them wherever you find them until the hollowness of their arrogance is filled with terror and they find themselves on their knees with their backs broken under the weight of regret for having waged a war against the believers, and by Allah’s will, and then through your sacrifices, this Ummah [community of Muslims] will be victorious.”

The editorial from the terrorist organisation, entitled Among The Believers Are Men, also alleged that Melbourne man Ezzit Raad, who was convicted over a plan to blow-up the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2005, died while fighting for IS in November 2015.

The organisation paid tribute to Raad, who fled Australia for Syria in 2013, where he recruited others to fight for the terrorist group.

The article shows a photo of what appears to be Raad’s body.

It also paid tribute to Melbourne teenager Adam Dahman, also known as Abu Bakras, who carried out a suicide bombing in Iraq in 2014.

The article urged others — “those living in Australia in particular” — to follow their lead.

“Follow the path of these righteous souls because there is no other path,” it said.

“The Khilafah [caliphate] has called for you to mobilize from your dens to alleviate the pain afflicting the hearts of the Muslims by striking the kuffar in their homelands.

“It is only from the hikmah [wisdom] of Allah that he has scattered you around the earth and in the various lands of the Crusaders to see which of you are best in deeds.

“So here before you are the doors of jihad — unhinged and in their lands. Light the ground beneath them aflame and scorch them with terror.”

Australia’s Prime Minister said there is a “real threat” of terrorism on Australian soil in the wake of threats from Daesh to hit targets including the MCG and SCG.

A sombre Malcolm Turnbull said that as the allied forces take back Daesh’s territory, “it will resort to terrorist activities outside the Middle East”.

“We’ve... seen overnight a call by Daesh or ISIL for lone wolf terrorist attacks in Australia,” he said.

“Australians can be assured that we have the finest security, intelligence, police forces in the world and we are providing them... with the laws they need and the resources they need to keep us safe.”

A Daesh magazine has called for the attacks in Australia.

“Kill them on the streets of Brunswick, Broadmeadows, Bankstown, and Bondi. Kill them at the MCG, the SCG, the Opera House, and even in their backyards,” an article published this week said.

Mr Turnbull arrived in Vientiane, Laos, tonight to start talks at the East Asia Summit and the Association of South East Asian Nations.

Those talks will focus on counter-terrorism and the need for cooperation as well as tensions in the South China Sea.

“We have a threat level of probable. It is a real threat. Our security services are relentless, tireless in keeping Australians safe,” Mr Turnbull said last night.

“We do have to be very alert to the actions of these lone actors; individuals... who for a variety of reasons, may be radicalised, often associated with mental illness they can be radicalised vdry quickly and often engage in lethal conduct.”

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on counter-terrorism, Michael Keenan, said the plea reflected the desperation of the terrorist organisation, as it continued to lose territory in the Syrian conflict.

“The release of (Islamic State’s) new magazine is another desperate attempt to attract more supporters, in the face of substantial territory losses and dwindling numbers of foreign fighters,” he said.

“IS has lost close to half of the territory it held in Iraq and up to 20 per cent of its territory in Syria.

“Recent reports suggest IS fighter numbers have fallen to record lows.

“IS has not gained any new territory since June 2015.”

Mr Keenan said the organisation had previously called for attacks on Australia and, “we will not let them win”.

“Australia’s law enforcement and security agencies are the best in the world,” he said.

“Safety and security at home will always be the government’s first priority.”

The Australian Federal Police has been contacted for comment.

Additional reporting by Rob Harris, Tory Shepherd Vientiane.

kim.stephens@news.com.au