Malcolm Turnbull: Daesh Losing Myth of Invincibility

Local Editor

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull declared Daesh [the Arabic acronym for the terrorist "ISIS" group] is being rolled back, losing territory, lives and its myth of invincibility.

Turnbull said Australians fighting with the terror group now face "almost certain death".

"Daesh has not yet been defeated in Syria and Iraq but it is being rolled back," he told The Australian on Saturday.

"We have not just halted Daesh's momentum, it has been turned back.

"Far from sweeping across Europe to stable their horses in the Vatican, Daesh is now seen on the defensive, losing territory, resources and lives."

He further added that Daesh has lost almost half the territory it held in Iraq and up to 20% of its territory in Syria.

Its recent wave of attacks across Europe are an attempt to hide its losses, he stressed.

Turnbull's comments came as attorney generals across Australia agreed in principle on Friday to propose draft laws that would keep high-risk terrorists locked up beyond their terms.

Under the measures, a supreme court judge must be satisfied there's a high degree of probability a person poses an "unacceptable risk" of committing a serious terrorism offence if released.

They will stay locked up for a maximum of three years - but there is no limit on how many times their detention can be renewed.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team