2014 Australian counter-terrorism raids

Part of a series on Terrorism in Australia

Notable attacks

Sydney Yugoslav General Trade and Tourist Agency bombing (1972) Sydney Hilton bombing (1978) Sydney Israeli consulate and Hakoah Club bombings (1982) Turkish consulate bombing (1986) French consulate bombing (1995) Endeavour Hills stabbings (2014) Parramatta shooting (2015)

Notable plots

Sydney terrorism plot (2005) Holsworthy Barracks terror plot (2009)

Counter-terrorism

Legislation Anti-terrorism legislation (2004) Anti-terrorism legislation (2005) Outlawed terror organisations Raids Counter-terrorism raids (2014)

On the morning on 18 September 2014, police in Australia carried out the biggest counter-terrorism operation in the nation's history, with over 800 heavily armed officers targeting households in the cities of Sydney and Brisbane. It came days after the Australian government raised the terror threat from medium to high due to concerns about Australian citizens returning to the country after fighting with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).^[1] Following the raids, two people were charged, one with terrorism offences and the other for possession of an unauthorised firearm.^[2]

Raids

25 homes were raided in Bass Hill, Revesby, Regents Park and elsewhere.^[3] The raids were triggered after the interception of one phone call.^[4] Computers, documents and a firearm were collected during the raid.^[5] Fifteen people were detained and eleven people were subsequently charged with terrorism offences.^[6]

Allegations

Prime Minister Tony Abbott stated that a senior Australian member of ISIL had called for "demonstration killings" including a public beheading. Omarjan Azari, 22, was charged with conspiring to commit these acts.^[7]

Motivations

The cancellation of passports of those wanting to fight overseas for extremists causes as well as resentment towards Australia's role in the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have been raised as possible motivations behind the alleged terrorist planning.^[5] After the raids, Imraan Husain, an Imam from the Gold Coast, warned that sending troops to the Middle East could marginalise local Muslim youth, especially those who follow jihadists on social media.^[8]

Protest

Between 200 and 400^[9] Muslims in Sydney protested the raids at Lakemba railway station the night after the morning raids. The protesters, organised by Hizb ut-Tahrir,^[9] cited "police brutality" and "political hysteria".^[7] Wassim Doureihi, a prominent member of the group, said "Let me say clearly even if a single bomb went off even if a thousand bombs went off in this country all it will prove is that Muslims are angry."^[9]

See also

• Terrorism in Australia
• Military intervention against ISIL
  • Operation Okra

References

1. "Australian police carry out biggest counter-terrorism raid". BBC News. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
2. "Counter-terrorism raids: five unanswered questions". The Guardian. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
3. "Terror raids in Bass Hill, Revesby and Regents Park as part of Australia’s largest anti-terrorism operation". dailytelegraph.com.au (News Corporation). 18 September 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
4. Paul Bibby (18 September 2014). "Man arrested in terrorist raids appears in court". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 19 September 2014.
5. Ian Lloyd Neubauer (19 September 2014). "Australian Police Foil Islamist Terrorist Plot in Country’s Largest Ever Raid". Time. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
6. , abc.net.au.
7. "Australia raids over 'Islamic State plot to behead'". BBC News. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
8. Greg Stoltz (20 September 2014). "Australia risks breeding more homegrown terrorists by sending troops to Middle East, warns Muslim leader". The Daily Telegraph (News Lmtd). Retrieved 20 September 2014.
9. Allard, Tom (18 September 2014). "Muslim community apprehension after raids leads to 'snap protest'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 September 2014.