Foiled Australia plane plot directed by Islamic State: police

– Originated in Turkey –

The destination of the flight was not revealed, although reports have previously suggested it was Abu Dhabi. Etihad earlier this week confirmed it was working with authorities in Australia on their investigation.

Police would not reveal who the IS link was but said it will be alleged the men were introduced to him by a relative who is a senior IS member in Syria.

“It is a concern that it got through,” said Phelan about the bomb components arriving in Australia through the mail.

“What we’re alleging is the components of the IED originated in Turkey at this stage. We are very confident that we have found every single component of that IED.”

Security was tightened at domestic and international airports across Australia after four men were arrested in raids in Sydney on Saturday over what Phelan called “one of the most sophisticated plots that has ever been attempted on Australian soil”.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the impacts “could have been catastrophic”.

“I understand that Australians will feel very unnerved about hearing this news and the police allege that we have been the target of a very serious ISIL plot,” he told reporters.

“But I do want to remind everyone that this is the 13th time, because of the excellence of our law enforcement agencies, that we have been able to stop a terrorist attack from occurring on Australian soil in the past three years.”

Khaled Khayat, 49, and Mahmoud Khayat, 32, have been charged with two counts of “acts done in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act” and are next due in court on November 14.

One of the four has been released without charge and another is still being questioned.