The Australian Air Force could continue its participation in the military operation against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria up to three years, Australian Defense Minister Kevin Andrews said Thursday. "Two, three years. I can't say for exact terms. The reality is that this is going to go on for a number of years," Andrews said quoted by The Australian newspaper. On Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that his country would expand airstrikes against ISIS into Syrian territory within the framework of the US-led international coalition. Abbot said that the time period of military involvement was not clearly defined but that Australian troops would return home after they finish the operation. ISIS is an extremist group that has seized vast areas in Iraq and Syria, establishing a caliphate on the occupied territories. An international coalition led by the United States has been launching airstrikes against the militants in both countries.
