https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/australia-raises-terror-threat-level-probable-possible-rcna165112YDNEY —Australiaon Monday raised its terror threat level to “probable” from “possible,” citing an increase in extremist views in the country leading to a more than 50% chance of the planning of an onshore attack in the next 12 months.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanesesaid he had raised the country’s threat level following advice from security services, but said there was no imminent threat of an attack.
“The advice that we have received is that more Australians are embracing a more diverse range of extreme ideologies and it is our responsibility to be vigilant,” he told a news conference.
Australia lowered the threat level to “possible” in 2022, following eight years at “probable.”
Mike Burgess, director general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, the country’s main intelligence agency, said tensions in the Middle East, including aconflict between Israel and Hamasthat began on Oct. 7, were a contributing factor to raising the threat level.“The conflict has fueled grievances, promoted protests, undermined social cohesion and elevated intolerance,” he said.
Australia has seenseveral violent attacksin recent months, some of which have been designated as motivated by extremism.
In April, Australian police saida knife attack on an Assyrian church bishopand some of his followers in Sydney was a terrorist act motivated by suspected religious extremism.
