Foreign Minister Bob Carr says the government is aware of reports that Australians fighting against the Syrian regime could be linking up with terrorist groups in the war-torn country.When asked if up to 200 Australians could be in Syria fighting against President Bashar al-Assad's forces, Senator Carr said the relevant government agencies were across the issue and taking it very seriously.
"There's a big investment of time and resources going into it," Senator Carr told Sky News on Sunday. "It's clearly a potential threat to Australia."
| Wonder how many of the 200 have a first name of 'Bruce'... |
One of the most active jihadist militant groups in Syria, the al-Nusrah Front, was placed on Australia's terrorist blacklist last month. Unknown before the uprising, the al-Nusrah Front has become the spearhead of the insurgency ahead of the mainstream rebel Free Syrian Army since mid-2012.
The Australian newspaper on Saturday reported ASIO was concerned at least 100 Australians fighting in Syria's civil war could be doing so alongside the al-Nusrah Front.