Media: Australia secretly deploys special forces to Middle East

Australia has secretly deployed a unit of its Special Air Service (SAS) to the Middle East.

Approximately 90 personnel are being stationed at Al Minhad Air Base near Dubai in preparation for a potential escalation of regional conflict, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Daily Telegraph.

The contingent’s primary mission will be to prepare for emergency evacuations and the rescue of Australian diplomats and other citizens in Middle Eastern countries.

The unit is not expected to take part in US military strikes.

The day before, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles was asked on Sky News about the deployment of additional forces to the region. He did not publicly confirm details of the potential deployment.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese maintains that Australia will not participate in offensive operations related to the ongoing conflict.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov