Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says that after anti-terrorism raids overnight in Sydney, police and intelligence services have "disrupted" an alleged plot to bring down a passenger aircraft.
The raids, which were carried out in the city's central core and southwest, were jointly conducted by ASIO, the Australian equivalent of CSIS, as well as the New South Wales state police service and the AFP, the country's federal police force.
The operation related to information about the use of an "improvised device" targetting the aviation industry. Other than that, AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin said that they don't have "a great deal of information" on the specifics of the plot.
Mr. Turnbull indicated the raids were just one part of a larger, ongoing counter-terrorism operation. He added that increased security measures have been put into place at the country's major airports. He says those with travel plans both within and to the country should do so "with confidence", but that they should allow for extra time that will be required due to the security response.
Since 2014, 70 people in Australia have faced charges after over thirty counter-terrorism operations nationwide.