Turnbull: Aussie troops to stay in Iraq, Afghanistan

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says Australian troops will remain in Afghanistan and Iraq “long term”, extending Australia’s Middle East commitment indefinitely.

The announcement comes off the back of his two-day visit to Aussie troops in both countries and puts an end to the Government’s previous plan to withdraw from its training program in Afghanistan in 2018.

“There is no doubt that in both theatres there is going to need to be a long-term commitment,” Mr Turnbull told reporters at the Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. 

“But it is one of supporting, above all of training, the Afghan and Iraqi security forces – both military and police – to ensure that they have the ability to defend their own country, to push back the terrorists where they’ve made gains and to secure the territory that the government is holding.

“So it is going to be a long-term commitment and we’ll consider, with our allies in these conflict areas, we’ll consider requests for further support. As it evolves, we’ll be looking at that.”

Australian troops are currently working in non-combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan, training local armed forces and helping build resistance against ISIS and the Taliban.

Turnbull also announced an additional $110 million in humanitarian assistance for Iraq in an effort to help the struggling state defeat ISIS terrorists.

Since the majority of Coalition forces withdrew from Iraq and Afghanistan both countries have had difficulty maintaining order and resisting insurgent advances.

What do you think of this announcement? Should Australia stay in the Middle East, or bow out?