Death toll of Aussies fighting with Islamic State rises to 68, juvenile terrorism charges rise

MORE than 30 Australians have been killed fighting alongside Islamic State in Syria and Iraq since July last year.

MORE than 30 Australians have been killed fighting alongside Islamic State in Syria and Iraq since July last year.

Counter Terrorism Minister Michael Keenan will today tell the Lowy Institute in Sydney that 33 people have been killed in the last 15 months, taking the total number of Aussie deaths to 68.

Another 110 people are still believed to be fighting in the Middle East while an additional 45 suspected jihadists have had their passports cancelled since July last year.

The total number of Aussies killed fighting for IS now sits at 68.

Chillingly, the number of juveniles facing terrorism charges has risen from zero to six over the same period.

Mr Keenan will tell the institute that Australia remains well placed to combat extremism but concedes the rapid demise of ISIL on the front line could provide more challenges.

“As ISIL suffers military defeats its modus operandi will change,’’ he will say.

“ISIL in Iraq and Syria will revert to being an underground terrorist organisation.

“It will also seek to expand its networks in Europe and elsewhere — including in our region.”

Mr Keenan said local authorities have prevented 11 attacks in Australia and confident they can stop more. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

Mr Keenan said authorities have foiled 11 terrorist attacks in Australia and remained confident of foiling further attempts however the likelihood of an attack in Australia remains probable.

“ISIL wants to generate global attention, create panic and spread fear. In this information age, we are never far away from a reminder of the fact that a terrorist attack in Australia is probable,’’ the speech says.

“While a large, co-ordinated attack, like that favoured by al-Qaeda, cannot be ruled out, at the moment, a terrorist attack in Australia is most likely to be undertaken by an individual or a small group using weapons and tactics that are low-cost, relatively simple, and easy to acquire.

“ISIL has long called for supporters to use any means at their disposal and to do so without guidance or instruction.”

Two teenage boys were arrested earlier this month after police believe they were about to launch a terrorist attack. Picture: AAP Image/Brendan Esposito

Mr Keenan said there has been new and disturbing trends within the terror space over the last year, including “a significant number of minors facing terrorism charges”.

The Australian Federal Police are currently investigating about 200 people believed to be supporting groups in the middle east, via financing or are actively attempting to leave the country themselves.