Australia has raised the threat level of a terrorist attack from "possible" of "probably" due to the strengthening of extremist sentiments in society. This means that the probability of planning and preparing an attack in Australia in the next 12 months is significantly greater, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had raised the alert level on the recommendation of security services, but added that there was no immediate threat of an attack.
"The advice we have received is that more and more Australians are being drawn into a variety of extreme ideologies, so it is our responsibility to be vigilant," he said at a press conference.
In 2022, Australia lowered the threat level to "possible" after eight years during which it was at the "probable" level.
Mike Burgess, director-general of the Australian Security and Intelligence Service (counterintelligence), said tensions in the Middle East, including the conflict between Israel and Hamas that began on October 7, had contributed to an increase in the threat level.
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"Conflict fuels discontent, encourages protest, undermines social cohesion and increases intolerance," he said.
There have been several violent attacks in Australia in recent months, some of which have been determined to be extremist-motivated, according to Reuters.
In April, Australian police said a knife attack on an Assyrian Church bishop and some of his followers in Sydney was an act of terrorism motivated by suspected religious extremism.