Australian citizens advised to leave Bangladesh in light of ISIL activities

The Australian government has authorised the dependants of its “posted staff” in Bangladesh to return to Australia on “a voluntary basis”, as ISIL continues to claim the responsibilities of attacks in Bangladesh.

In an updated travel alert, the Australian government on Friday also said that volunteers of the Australian government funded projects would be withdrawn from Bangladesh by Dec 31.

This update came after Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claimed the responsibility of yet another attack, this time in a Shia mosque in northern Bangladesh.

Australia, however, did not change the level of advice.

“We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Bangladesh due to the high threat of terrorist attack and the uncertain political situation,” it said to its citizens.

Earlier in September, Australia claimed that they had “reliable information” to suggest that militants might be planning to target their interests in Bangladesh. Cricket Australia postponed its Dhaka tour.

Since September, a number of attacks, some targeting foreigners, in Bangladesh have been claimed by the ISIL.