Iraq mulls Australian airstrike request

Iraq’s ambassador to Australia didn’t give a timeline of when his government would make a decision on Australia’s request to launch airstrikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The Associated Press reported late Wednesday that Australia has six F/A-18F Super Hornet jet fighters on standby in the United Arab Emirates prepared to begin combat missions with the U.S.-led coalition.

{mosads}”We are seriously considering the request from Australia,” Ambassador Mouayed Saleh told The Associated Press.

Saleh said a decision could be made Thursday, the last working day before Independence Day and a weeklong holiday.

Two unarmed Australian air force planes joined the Iraq campaign from an Air Base outside Dubai for the first time on Wednesday in support roles, the air force said.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the support missions would persist.

“We, at this stage, are not flying strike missions, but in coming days the government will be making further decisions,” he said.