SYDNEY — A senior Islamic State commander directed a group of Australian men to build a bomb destined for an Etihad Airways flight out of Sydney, with a second poisonous gas plot also in the works, police alleged Friday. "This advice was coming from a senior member of the Islamic State," Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Michael Phelan said, referring to him as a "commander" based overseas. Police also foiled a second alleged plot involving a "chemical dispersion device", designed to release hydrogen sulphide, but this was in the early stages. The second plan was hatched after the first one failed, police alleged, and was not necessarily targeted at a plane. Security was tightened at domestic and international airports across Australia after four men were arrested in raids in Sydney on Saturday.

Source: Viet Nam News August 04, 2017 01:18 UTC