Two Arrested Following Anti-Terror Operation in Australia

Australian officials announced on Saturday, January 20, that two individuals have been arrested in Sydney as part of an anti-terror operation. This operation is described as part of extensive investigations into supporters of militants in countries such as Iraq and Syria. The arrests come a few weeks after a citizen known as 'Sheikh Haroon Moones,' a refugee from Iran, took hostages at the Lindt Cafe in Sydney; however, Australian police state there is no connection to that incident. The hostage situation on December 15 ended with the deaths of three people, including two hostages and the hostage-taker. The arrest of a 33-year-old suspect on Friday, January 19, was said by police officials to be 'part of a long-term investigation and not the result of any specific terrorist threat.' A 21-year-old was also arrested under a detention order related to the discovery of illegal weapons and ammunition last month. According to Agence France-Presse, police investigations concern suspects believed to provide financial or other support to foreign fighters in conflicts, including those in Iraq and Syria. Adam Huda, the lawyer for both arrested individuals, stated that there is no evidence linking them to terrorist activities. The Australian government has reported that over 70 of its citizens are fighting alongside 'Islamic State' militants, with at least 20 of them having been killed.