Australia to Send Unarmed Aircrafts to Support US led Airstrikes in Iraq

Australia will send two unarmed air force planes to help the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State militants in Iraq, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said, Wednesday.

A Royal Air force E-7A Wedgetail early warning and control aircraft and a KC-30A refueling aircraft will support the U.S coalition and will be based at the al-Minhad Air Base outside Dubai,  Abbott told the Parliament.

"We have not yet made a final decision to commit our forces to combat, but Australian aircraft from today will start flying over Iraq in support of allied operations," Abbott said.

"Our objective is to support governments that neither commit genocide against their own people, nor permit terrorism against ours," he said, reports the Associated Press.

Last month Australia had deployed Eight Super Hornet strike fighters, a Wedge tail early warning and control aircraft, a KC-30 refueler and a Special Forces contingent to the United Arab Emirates in response to a request from the U.S.

However, Australia has limited its operations to Iraq and has ruled out using ground troops.

Abbot said that a dire situation awaits the world if the Islamic State is allowed to flourish. The beheadings, crucifixions and mass executions seen in Iraq were only the beginning, he said.

Meanwhile, Australian Opposition leader Bill Shorten said that the Labor party supported the Australian military's humanitarian mission.

"Labor's taken a strong interest in ensuring that Australia meets its international legal and diplomatic obligations and in guaranteeing that the appropriate force protection measures are in place for Australians serving in the region," Shorten said.

"This is part of Australia's responsibilities as a good international citizen as well as providing important legal protections for our Defense personnel," he said, reports au.news.yahoo.com.