Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

The vital liberations of Mosul on 9 July, of Tal Afar at the end of August and of Hawija at the beginning of October represent the beginning of the end of the entity that is Daesh in Iraq. Iraqi forces are moving towards the Euphrates River Valley to clear Daesh from final strongholds inside Iraq. Some of these Daesh strongholds in the river valley are in difficult terrain and present different tactical problems from the urban fighting so far experienced in those towns and cities that I've mentioned here, and earlier, in this chamber.

Australia will continue to support Iraq and its security forces so that Iraq is able to defeat Daesh, keep its people safe and maintain territorial sovereignty. We continue to train, advise and assist the ISF through training at Task Group Taji, our special operations advisers and air support through our Air Task Group. I acknowledge those men and women of the ADF who continue to serve in this role and the contribution they make.