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Australia Raises Terrorism Threat Level to 'Probable' Amid Rising Extremism, 50% Chance of Attack

Aug 5, 2024, 02:16 AM

Australia has raised its terrorism threat level from 'possible' to 'probable', citing a rise in extreme ideologies and politically motivated violence. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the change, which is based on intelligence assessments indicating a greater than 50% chance of an onshore terrorist attack in the next 12 months. This is the first time the threat level has been raised to 'probable' since 2014. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has noted a significant increase in radical political and religious ideologies, with eight recent alleged terrorist incidents investigated since April. ASIO's Mike Burgess highlighted the heightened alert comes amid concerns over deteriorating social cohesion and heightened community tensions over global conflicts, such as the war in Gaza.