Australian Iraqis rally against ISIS threat

Members of Australia’s Iraqi community have rallied in Sydney and Melbourne against insurgent group ISIS and its actions in Iraq.

‘Australian brothers’ call in ISIS video

The protesters say they are from different ethnic and religious groups, but have joined together to support the Iraqi government.

Protesters told SBS they are not calling for foreign military intervention, but are in favour of the federal government’s decision to cancel the passports of Australians who recruit or engage in insurgency.

The rally came after a video uploaded to YouTube appeared to confirm Australian involvement in the conflict.

Two men identifying themselves as Australian have appeared on a YouTube video released by the Sunni extremist group ISIS, calling for others to join their cause. The company removed the video soon afterwards.

The men, named as Abu Yahya ash Shami and Abu Nour al Iraqi, are joined by several others who identify themselves as British.

“Hello my brothers in Australia,” said Shami. “This is the message I want to send to you. From a Muslim brother’s heart to another brother’s heart.”

“Look and see and wake up and understand why this happening,” the man identified as Shami said. “Wake up. Wake up and be part of this effort.”

Extended coverage: Iraq crisis

The video was uploaded to YouTube on June 19, 2014. SBS cannot verify the legitimacy of the video or where it was recorded.

The second man identifying as Australian, Abu Nour al Iraqi, also spoke to the camera saying there were plenty of reasons to ‘come to Jihad’.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Abbott said the government is redoubling its efforts to stop Islamist extremists who have fought in Syria or Iraq entering Australia.

We are redoubling our vigilance at our borders to try to ensure that jihadists do not gain access to our country, or are monitored if they have the right of access to this country,” Mr Abbott told reporters in Canberra.

Source: SBS