Aus airstrikes to target IS, not Syrian regime

Australia's set to step up its airstrikes against Syria but it claims Islamic State, rather than the nation's dictator Bashar al-Assad, is in its sights.

There's no intention to go after the Assad regime – in fact, it's the opposite.

Australia yesterday announced it would increase airstrikes and also increase the refugee intake to 12,000 Syrian refugees – but it's not yet clear if that will be spread over a number of years.

Australia correspondent Jason Morrison says the key word used was "persecuted minorities", which has been interpreted as Christians.

Watch the video for the full interview.

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