Australian Defence Force personnel head to Solomon Islands to quell ongoing unrest: Report

As local authorities battle to quell disturbances in Honiara, about 40 Australian Defence Force personnel and a navy ship will join Australian Federal Police (AFP) officials in Solomon Islands in a peace-keeping capacity, reported news ncy Sputnik citing media reports. In wake of Thursday, vember 25, disturbance in Solomon Islands, Australia agreed to send troops and federal police. Earlier, Prime Minister Scott Morrison had anunced that 23 AFP members would be dispatched immediately, with ar 50 AFP officers and 43 armed defence force personnel joining m next day to support key infrastructure.

Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has requested Canberra for assistance based on a bilateral security treaty inked in 2017, reported Sputnik citing Soloman Times. As violent protests and intermittent looting enter its third day, island nation's Goverr-General ordered to impose a curfew in capital city every day from 7 pm to 6 am. Meanwhile, Solomon police have also resorted to tear gas and rubber bullets in order to disperse protesters. 

Solomon Islands' PM blames foreign interference for protests

It should be mentioned here that Sogavare blamed demonstrations on foreign meddling, citing government's decision to recognise China and cut ties with Taiwan, which populous province of Malaita has outrightly opposed. " government's decision to recognise Beijing as legitimate Chinese power instead of Taiwan is t only correct but also legal. It aligns Solomon Islands with international law and puts it on right side of history," he was quoted as saying by Australian broadcaster ABC. 

On Wednesday, vember 25, Sogavare anunced a 36-hour curfew after protests turned violent, with a leaf hut set ablaze on premises of country's parliament building. Besides, a traffic police station was also torched in Honiara. Meanwhile, according to a report by Associated Press (AP), Australia refused to assist in defence of National Parliament and executive buildings, sending out a mess that country was t taking political sides. "We are t re to intervene in domestic political concerns in any way," Australian Defence Minister Karen Andrews told Australian Broadcasting Corp as reported by AP. However, some observers believe that Australia intervened without delaying to prevent Chinese security forces from restoring order. 

(Im: AP)