Counter-terrorism talks slated for Perth

Defence Minister Marise Payne is set to host her South East Asian counterparts at a special meeting focused on counter-terrorism and foreign fighters.

Filipino soldiers conduct a patrol

Australia and SE Asia hope sharing information will prevent a repeat last year's Marawi insurgency. (AAP)

With the so-called Islamic State caliphate mostly crushed in Iraq and Syria, Australia and South East Asian countries are making sure they're ready to keep returned foreign fighters at bay.

Defence Minister Marise Payne is set to host her counterparts from Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Indonesian at a special meeting focused on counter-terrorism in Perth on Thursday and Friday.

Last week, the six countries launched an intelligence pact to improve co-operation on security threats.

They hope sharing information will ensure there is no repeat last year's five month insurgency flare-up in Marawi.

Scores of foreign fighters from Indonesia and Malaysia were involved in the conflict in the southern Philippines city.

Australian Army personnel have been mentoring Filipino troops in urban warfare techniques as part of co-operation efforts.


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Source: AAP



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