Sydney - Australia will send 1,550 military personnel including 150 elite SAS troops to join the US-led campaign in Afghanistan by mid-November, the Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, announced yesterday.
He also warned Australia to expect casualties because its Special Air Services (SAS) commandos would be in the thick of battle, possibly in hand-to-hand combat, with Taliban fighters.
Mr Howard, who is also in the middle of a battle to win a third term in the November 10th elections, received immediate opposition support.