Australia: Authorities foil terror plot in Melbourne

Event

The authorities announced on Tuesday, November 20, that three individuals had been arrested for preparing to carry out a terrorist attack on an upcoming gathering in Melbourne. The Joint Counter Terrorism Team reported that the three men were attempting to acquire a semi-automatic weapon. Initial findings indicate that the individuals had likely been inspired by the Islamic State (IS). Investigations are underway.

Context

The foiled plot comes after one person was fatally stabbed in Melbourne on November 9 in an attack that is being treated as a terrorist incident.  

Generally speaking, the government judges the risk of a terrorist attack as “probable.” Police counter-terrorism capability is robust and plots are generally disrupted during the planning stages. Potential attack targets include the security services or public spaces in cities such as Melbourne or Sydney.

Advice

Individuals in Australia should remain vigilant in crowded public areas and report any suspicious behavior to the authorities.