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Australian Spec Ops Forces Operating in Africa: Report

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  • Australian Spec Ops Forces Operating in Africa: Report

    Folks, comment?


    Australian Spec Ops Forces Operating in Africa: Report
    Australian Spec Ops Forces Operating in Africa: Report | Defense News | defensenews.com
    SYDNEY — Australian special forces have been operating in several African countries over the past year gathering intelligence on terrorist activities, according to a March 13 report.

    The Sydney Morning Herald said 4 Squadron of the elite Special Air Service (SAS) had mounted dozens of clandestine operations in places such as Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Kenya, a role normally carried out by spies.

    Citing a government source, it said the missions by the previously unknown squadron were believed to involve terrorism intelligence gathering amid concerns about the threat posed by the Islamist al-Shebab militia.

    The missions also are aimed at developing rescue strategies for evacuating trapped Australian civilians while assessing African border controls and exploring landing sites for possible military interventions.

    The information gathered flows into databases used by the United States and its allies, it said.

    The Herald reported the operations have raised serious concerns among some sections of the military and intelligence communities that the troops do not have adequate legal protection or contingency plans if they are captured.

    “They have all the espionage skills but without [Australian Secret Intelligence Service’s] legal cover,” said one government source.

    According to the newspaper, ASIS officers are permitted under Australian law to carry false passports and, if arrested, to deny who they are employed by.

    Defence Force members, such as the SAS, on normal operations cannot carry false identification and cannot deny for which government they work.

    Defence Minister Stephen Smith refused to confirm the group’s existence “because we don’t want to put at risk either operations or our national security.”

    He insisted that all Australian operatives overseas did their job within the law and had proper protection.

    “People would expect from time to time the SAS, ASIS, and department of foreign affairs and trade are involved in making sure Australians overseas are not at risk,” he told Sky News.

    “Whenever we have our people in the field they have the proper and appropriate protections.

    “Whether someone is working for ASIS or someone is operating for or with the SAS, we ensure they operate in accordance with domestic and international law and that they have appropriate and proper protection.”
    “the misery of being exploited by capitalists is nothing compared to the misery of not being exploited at all” -- Joan Robinson

  • #2
    The Zimbabwe one sounds interesting. Has Bob found new friends?

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    • #3
      Originally posted by Skywatcher View Post
      The Zimbabwe one sounds interesting. Has Bob found new friends?
      I would say they be run against him!
      “Loyalty to country ALWAYS. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it.”
      Mark Twain

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      • #4
        Just goes to show how little we really know about what's going down around us. God be with them on their missions. Nobody else shall be. You can be sure the places they've visited aren't generally kind to strangers.
        "This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
        "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs

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        • #5
          Just goes to show how little we really know about what's going down around us.
          Attached Files
          There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that "My ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."- Isaac Asimov

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          • #6
            Originally posted by xinhui View Post
            The Sydney Morning Herald said 4 Squadron of the elite Special Air Service (SAS) had mounted dozens of clandestine operations in places such as Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Kenya, a role normally carried out by spies.
            Does Australia have outsized investments in those countries entailing a larger number of australians visting.

            Another possibiilty this is an american job outsourced to the aussies.

            Originally posted by xinhui View Post
            Citing a government source, it said the missions by the previously unknown squadron were believed to involve terrorism intelligence gathering amid concerns about the threat posed by the Islamist al-Shebab militia.
            There are Somali immigrants in oz, is this a way of preventing al-shebab gaining a foothold in oz.

            Originally posted by xinhui View Post
            The missions also are aimed at developing rescue strategies for evacuating trapped Australian civilians while assessing African border controls and exploring landing sites for possible military interventions.
            Points to the business interests.

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            • #7
              ASIS officers are permitted under Australian law to carry false passports...


              Yeah but they make you give them back...
              Reddite igitur quae sunt Caesaris Caesari et quae sunt Dei Deo
              (Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things which are God's)

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