Australia and Turkey join the bombing of Islamic State

The Australian Air Force has joined air strikes on the positions of Islamic State as part of the efforts of the international coalition against militants.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott stressed out that the Australian military would advise and assist Iraqi army soldiers in their struggle against the terrorist group.

On September 18 Air Force, the United States Air Force started bombing the positions of the Islamic State in Iraq.

The parliament of Turkey authorized the armed forces of the nation to conduct military operations abroad, as well as to deploy contingents of foreign military forces on the territory of the country.

The mandate for the operation, which received the support from 298 out of the total amount of 396 deputies, will stay in effect throughout the year. The document was supported by the ruling Justice and Development Party and the nationalist National Action Party.

President Tayyip Erdogan also supported the mandate. The People's Republican Party and the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party voted against the mandate, lenta.ru reports.

Noteworthy, the United States puts pressure on Turkey to push the country to more active actions in the US-led international coalition against Islamists, who conduct combat action near the Turkish border. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the air strikes conducted by the coalition on the positions of the IS were ineffective. Erdogan calls for the toppling of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

On September 23, the United States, with the support of five Arab countries (Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and UAE), launched the operation against the Islamic State in Syria. On September 26, the Pentagon called for a ground operation in Iraq and Syria.