The Pentagon has confirmed publicly at least 10 separate drone and rocket attacks between 17 October and 24 October on coalition against ISIS forces in Iraq and Syria. The Pentagon has also confirmed the groups conducting these attacks are supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—the IRGC—and the Iranian regime. Is that consistent with Defence’s understanding of the situation?
CHAIR: I need to move the call on.
Senator CHANDLER: I have some questions regarding the Middle East deployment; this will be a very quick tranche, I hope, and then I think Senator Paterson has some questions on another topic. The Pentagon has confirmed publicly at least 10 separate drone and rocket attacks between 17 October and 24 October on coalition against ISIS forces in Iraq and Syria. The Pentagon has also confirmed the groups conducting these attacks are supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—the IRGC—and the Iranian regime. Is that consistent with Defence’s understanding of the situation?
Mr Jeffrey : I’m aware of those reports, and the statements by the US government. I don’t have anything to add in the public domain on those reported attacks.
Senator CHANDLER: Had Defence and the ADF been briefed on these attacks in advance of the deployment of Australian personnel to the region which was announced in the last 24 hours?
Gen. Campbell : Our people receive appropriate security intelligence force posture briefings, but they’re classified. I am confident that, currently and progressively, because it’s a constant update, our people are well informed of the wider strategic and tactical setting in the Middle East at the moment—noting that that setting is quite volatile.
Senator CHANDLER: Indeed. A senior US defence official also stated in a briefing this week that what has happened in the last several days is efforts by Iran and Iran proxy forces to seek to escalate this conflict. Is that also consistent with Defence’s understanding of the current environment in the region?
Mr Jeffrey : The responses from the Islamic Republic of Iran are varied at present. I don’t think you can make a clear conclusion about what Iran is seeking to do or not do through this crisis. You are right to be concerned about Iran’s role. Iran has a long-term funding and training relationship with Hamas, which is a terrorist organisation, and also with the Palestine Islamic Jihad and with Hezbollah, in Lebanon. So it is in a position to either intensify the crisis or help moderate it. Its actions will be important.
Senator CHANDLER: Does Australia have any personnel—advisers, trainers or other staff—in Iraq or Syria as part of our membership of the coalition against ISIS?
Gen. Campbell : I’m going to ask Air Vice-Marshal Chappell to give you the details on that point.
Air Vice-Marshal Chappell : With respect to your question about personnel in Iraq, yes, we do, as part of both Operation Okra and Operation Steadfast.
Senator CHANDLER: So, yes, we have personnel in Iraq. Do we have personnel in Syria?
Air Vice-Marshal Chappell : We have no ADF personnel in Syria.
Senator CHANDLER: In relation to those personnel in Iraq, do we know if they were part of the coalition which has been attacked by groups attributed by the Pentagon as being supported by the IRI regime and the IRGC, in those rockets attacks that I referenced in my first question?
Air Vice-Marshal Chappell : The personnel in Iraq are in headquarter roles. They will take the same force protection measures as their international counterparts at the headquarters to which they belong and work at. As to the specifics of any attacks, I would need to take that on notice to provide what we could, but I wouldn’t be able to go into any specifics here.
Senator CHANDLER: Okay. Thank you very much. Senator Paterson has a few questions as well.