Australian warplanes could be involved in military action in Syria and Iraq. The New York Times has reported Obama administration officials saying the president is close to deciding to authorise further airstrikes against Islamic State forces laying siege to the northern Iraqi town of Amerli (see article below). Tony Abbott said Australia stood ready to provide more humanitarian support and was discussing with America what could be done to provide ‘peace and safety.’ The US has begun surveillance flights over Syria to collect information on possible Islamic State targets for airstrikes. Kurdish forces fighting in northern Iraq have been pledged weapons and ammunition from Albania, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Italy and Britain. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the national security committee was considering a letter from the Kurdish representative in Canberra requesting support. Debate is simmering in Australia and America on the legal basis for any stepped-up military action in Iraq and Syria.