24-04-2024 04:42 PM Jerusalem Timing

Australia Arrests Two Planning to Target Naval Base

Australia Arrests Two Planning to Target Naval Base

Two men were arrested on Wednesday during a counter-terrorism operation in Sydney, with a key Australian naval base among locations they were allegedly targeting.

Australian policeTwo men were arrested on Wednesday during a counter-terrorism operation in Sydney, with a key Australian naval base among locations they were allegedly targeting, police said.

Their detention comes just weeks after five people were held over a plot aimed at an Australian government building.

Following the latest raids, Abdullah Salihy, 24, was charged with making a document likely to facilitate a terrorist attack while Mohammad Almaouie, 20, was accused of conspiracy to "do an act in preparation to commit a terrorist act".

Both were refused bail.

Their arrests are part of Appleby, a rolling operation investigating people suspected of being involved in domestic acts of terrorism, Australians fighting in Syria and Iraq and the funding of terrorist organizations.

So far, 11 other people have been charged with terror-related offences since Appleby was set up last year.

Police have been focusing on a group of about 20 young men who they claim are committed to carrying out a terrorist attack in Australia.

Burn said the 20-year-old arrested Wednesday was associated with five men, including a 15-year-old boy, charged earlier this month over a plot targeting a government building, which also stemmed from evidence uncovered last year.

Authorities have been on high alert for potential attacks since last year.

Six attacks in Australia have been foiled over the past year, according to the government, but several have taken place, including the terror-linked murder of police employee Curtis Cheng in October.