SYDNEY: Australia has deployed unspecified “military assets” to the Middle East as part of contingency planning to support possible evacuations, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday.
Speaking in the Australian parliament, Albanese confirmed the government had already moved defence resources into the region earlier in the week and had also sent six crisis response teams to assist Australians who may need help amid worsening security conditions.
“We’ve already deployed military assets as part of our contingency planning earlier this week,” Albanese told lawmakers, while acknowledging the risks faced by Australians involved in the operation.
“I thank those Australians going into a dangerous situation to help their fellow Australians,” he added, according to AFP.
No official detail on assets, reports suggest aircraft
While the prime minister did not specify what equipment or capabilities had been sent, Australian media reports indicated the deployment may involve aircraft. At the time of reporting, neither Albanese’s office nor the defence ministry had publicly confirmed the type or number of assets involved.
Evacuation concerns grow as conflict intensifies
The announcement comes as multiple countries move to extract citizens from the region following a sharp escalation in hostilities after US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which reportedly killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and triggered broader regional conflict.
Australia has previously said around 115,000 Australians are in the Middle East, raising the stakes for any potential evacuation or consular assistance mission.
New Zealand also positions aircraft
New Zealand has taken similar steps, ordering two military aircraft to the Middle East in preparation for possible evacuations of its nationals, reflecting wider regional тревels and increasing international concern.
What happens next?
Australian authorities have not outlined timelines or operational specifics, but the deployment signals Canberra is preparing for a rapidly changing environment—where routes out of affected areas may narrow quickly and consular support could be stretched.
