Australian prosecutors on Tuesday charged a 42-year-old man for helping the so-called "Islamic State" (IS)group to develop long-range guided missile capabilities.

Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said the Australia-born electrician had contacts "not just in the conflict zones, but also in other parts of the world and relied on them to pass the information."

The suspect had advised the militant group on how to design a laser missile-warning device and develop its own missiles, according to police.

"In terms of the advice he was providing, we will allege it was fairly sophisticated and well-planned," Colvin said.

The 42-year-old man had been detained in the small town of Young in Australia's New South Wales region.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the arrest followed an 18-month operation, describing it as "another reminder of the enduring threat we face from Islamist terrorism."

"This highlights that terrorism, support for terrorist groups and Islamist extremism is not limited to our major cities," Turnbull said "It once again shows that we all need to be very vigilant."

The suspect can receive a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if authorities find him guilty of the terror-related offenses.

Terror alert

In September 2014, Australia raised its terror-alert level to high amid fears of foreign fighters returning from Syria and Iraq after joining militant groups in the region.

Roughly 200 Australians have traveled to the Middle East to join IS and other terrorist groups fighting on the ground, according to authorities.

Since the rise of IS in 2014, Western nations have increased counterterrorism measures in a bid to curb attacks and prevent homegrown radicalization.

Australian authorities have prevented at least 12 terror attacks since then, according to officials.

What is the 'Islamic State'? Where did it come from? The "Islamic State" (IS) — also known as ISIL, ISIS and Daesh — is an al-Qaida splinter group with a militant Sunni Islamist ideology. It emerged in the aftermath of the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and is led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Their goal is to create a worldwide "caliphate." It gained worldwide notoriety in 2014 after a blitzkrieg military campaign that resulted in the capture of Mosul.

What is the 'Islamic State'? Where does it operate? IS is believed to be operational in more than a dozen countries across the world. It controls territories in Iraq and Syria. However, the group has lost much of the territory it controlled in Iraq and Syria at the height of its expansion in 2014.

What is the 'Islamic State'? Who is fighting back? The US leads an international coalition of more than 50 countries, including several Arab nations. Russia, Iran and its Lebanese Shiite ally Hezbollah, which all support the Syrian government, also fight IS. Regional forces such as the Kurdish peshmerga (above) and US-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters, fight IS on the ground. The Iraqi army and militia have pushed IS from large parts of the country.

What is the 'Islamic State'? How does it fund itself? One of IS' main sources of income has been oil and gas. At one point, it controlled an estimated one-third of Syria's oil production. However, US-led airstrikes deliberately targeted oil resources and the Syrian government as well as US-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters have retaken most oil wells. Other means of income include taxes, ransom, selling looted antiquities and extortion.

What is the 'Islamic State'? Where does it carry out attacks? IS has claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist attacks across the globe. The militant group has targeted capitals across the EU, including Berlin, Brussels and Paris. IS leaders have encouraged so-called "lone wolf" attacks, whereby individuals who support IS carry out terrorist acts without the direct involvement of the group.

What is the 'Islamic State'? What other tactics does it use? The group uses various tactics to expand its power. IS fighters have looted and destroyed historical artifacts in Syria and Iraq in an attempt at "cultural cleansing." The group has also enslaved thousands of women from religious minority groups, including Yazidis. IS also uses a sophisticated social network to distribute propaganda and recruit sympathizers.

What is the 'Islamic State'? How has it impacted the region? IS has further exacerbated the ongoing Syrian conflict. Millions of Syrians and Iraqis have fled their homes, many traveling to Europe in pursuit of refuge. Although it has lost all of its strongholds, the militant group has left extraordinary destruction in its wake. Areas affected by the militant group's rule will likely take years to rebuild. Author: Rachel Stewart



ls/kms (AFP, Reuters)