Australia: We Have Thwarted a Terrorist Plot to Down an Airplane

The Prime Minister of Australia has stated that the country's security forces have thwarted a 'terrorist plot' aimed at downing an airplane. The Australian Federal Police have also indicated that this plot was 'inspired by extremist Islamic beliefs.' A total of four individuals were arrested during police raids and operations in Sydney on Saturday, July 29. The identities of those arrested have not yet been disclosed. Malcolm Turnbull, the Prime Minister of Australia, told reporters on July 30 that the operation on Saturday night was a 'major counter-terrorism operation' to prevent the 'downing of an airplane.' Turnbull stated that the operation is still ongoing and that security measures have been increased at all major airports in the country. The Prime Minister mentioned that the plan of the detainees falls under the category of 'planned conspiracies' and it does not appear that individuals intended to carry out an attack or attacks independently. Andrew Calvyn, an inspector with the Australian Federal Police, also noted that details regarding the timing and location of the potential attack are still unclear. Calvyn, speaking to reporters, added that security forces have received information about a planned attack in recent days: 'In recent days, law enforcement officials have realized that a group of individuals in Sydney were planning to carry out a terrorist attack using an improvised explosive device.' According to this senior police official, investigations indicate that the aviation industry was the potential target of this attack. Reports indicate that police have conducted operations in at least four neighborhoods in Sydney. It is unclear whether the arrested individuals had been under surveillance prior to this operation. Since 2014, national warnings in Australia regarding potential terrorist attacks have been at a 'probable' level. According to the Australian Department of Justice, in recent years—aside from the most recent case—at least 12 attacks have been thwarted and at least 70 individuals have been arrested.