Australia raised its terror threat level to “probable” from “possible” due to an increase in extremist views and a more than 50% chance of a planning of an onshore attack in the next 12 months. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that there is no imminent threat of an attack, but the country needs to be vigilant. The threat level had been at “possible” since 2022, following eight years at “probable.”
Director General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, Mike Burgess, mentioned that tensions in the Middle East, particularly the conflict between Israel and Hamas, have contributed to the decision to raise the threat level. He stated that the conflict has led to increased grievances, protests, undermined social cohesion, and elevated intolerance.
In recent months, Australia has seen several violent attacks that have been linked to extremism. In April, a knife attack on an Assyrian church bishop and his followers in Sydney was designated as a terrorist act motivated by suspected religious extremism. The rise in diverse extreme ideologies among Australians has prompted the government to take proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of the country.
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