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Australia deploys more defense forces to Middle East, defense minister says

Richard Marles, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister

25 October 2023 09:32 (UTC +04:00)

The Australian government is deploying more personnel and aircraft to the Middle East region as part of "Operation Beech," the country's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles said, APA reports citing CNN.

Marles noted that the government sent an additional two military aircraft to the region, making a total of three.

"The deployment of Australian aircraft and supporting Defence personnel is a precautionary measure to support whole of Australian Government contingency options due to the risk of the security situation deteriorating further," Marles said on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday.

The military aircraft will be accompanied by "a significant number of personnel" to support their delivery and a "small command detachment," Nine News reported. He added that the Australian forces are not there for operational reasons but as a "contingency" to support Australians in the region.

He also described that the situation in the region is "challenging and rapidly evolving," adding that Australians who wish to leave are encouraged to take the first commercial option available to them.