Login
iscover
Personnel and military platforms from all three domains have been deployed to the Solomon Islands in response to civil unrest in the nation’s capital.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
The Commonwealth government has accepted a formal request for assistance from the Solomon Islands government under the 2017 Bilateral Security Treaty, agreeing to provide urgent military assistance.
The Australian Defence Force has deployed a Royal Australian Air Force aircraft from Canberra to provide airlift for members of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Approximately 40 personnel from Army’s 3rd Brigade, 6th Brigade and 17th Brigade will also depart Townsville for Honiara, the island nation’s capital.
Further aircraft will be deployed from Canberra on Saturday (27 November) with additional DFAT officials and AFP members.
AFP and ADF elements are expected to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in defusing tensions and stabilising the region.
A Royal Australian Navy vessel will also be deployed to the Solomon Islands to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force with maritime security operations.
This follows an outbreak of violent protests, reportedly sparked by the government’s decision to switch diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has defended the decision, claiming it puts the Solomon Islands on the “right side of history”.
Following Australia’s deployment of troops, Minister for Defence Peter Dutton noted the importance of coming to the aid of Australia’s Pacific neighbour.
“Solomon Islands is part of our Pacific family and is among our closest neighbours,” Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said.
“We have been watching the ongoing protests in Honiara with concern. We continue to call for calm, for an end to any further violence and emphasise the importance of resolving tensions peacefully.”
He said the deployment expands upon a “longstanding bilateral security relationship”, which includes co-operation between police, border and defence agencies.
“The Australian government is committed to a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Minister Dutton added.
The Australian high commission in Honiara continues to operate out of the country.
[Related: Australia and Solomon Islands team up for explosive ordnance disposal]
