Solomon riots – Australia sends peacekeeping force

Australia’s peacekeepers have landed in the capital city of Honiara in the Solomon Islands in what they describe as a “volatile” environment

73 Australian Federal Police and 43 Australian Defence Force personnel will be dispatched following requests from the country’s Prime Minister.

This follows days of rioting and looting in the nation’s capital.

Some of the specialist response group departed Australia’s capital on Thursday night.

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the peacekeepers will not be intervening in the nation’s politics but rather helping to restore security and stability.

Multiple businesses and buildings have been looted and torched by protestors in recent days.

This comes amid economic issues worsened by the nation’s decision to side with China over Taiwan in 2019.