AFP and ADF deploy to Solomon Islands

A Royal Australian Air Force aircraft departed Canberra late yesterday to provide airlift for members of the Australian Federal Police and officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in in response to violent unrest in the Solomon Islands.

CAPTION: Australian Army soldiers from Joint Task Group 637.3 board a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III at RAAF Base Townsville, Queensland, deploying to the Solomon Islands on 26 November 2021. Photo by Corporal Brandon Grey.

The AFP and ADF elements will support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in helping to stabilise the situation.

The ADF will also deploy a Navy vessel to the Solomon Islands to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force with maritime security.

The ADF has also deployed around 40 personnel from the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters, 3rd Brigade, 16th Brigade, and 17th Brigade, today, to support the Australian Federal Police and the Solomon Islands Police Force.

A further ADF aircraft will also depart Canberra tomorrow with additional DFAT officials and AFP members.

A Royal Australian Navy vessel will also deploy to the to the Solomon Islands region to support the RSIPF with maritime security.

Australia’s support follows a request for assistance from the Solomon Islands government to assist in stabilising the situation in Honiara and protecting key infrastructure.

Violent protests erupted this week, targeting the Solomon Islands’ parliament, Chinese businesses and other buildings in the capital, Honiara.

The protest in Honiara began on 24 November and a curfew was put in place until at least 7am this morning.

International commercial flights are suspended.

The Australian High Commission in Honiara remains operational.

Australians in Solomon Islands in need of assistance should contact the High Commission or for 24 hour emergency consular assistance contact DFAT’s Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 and monitor smartraveller.gov.au.

 

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