Man Held Over Alleged Terror Plot In Sydney

A 24-year-old man has been arrested in Australia on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack.

It is thought the suspect, named locally as Farhad Said, was involved in an alleged plot to target a naval base close to Sydney's iconic Opera House.

He has been charged with "conspiracy to conduct an act in preparation for a terrorist act" after being arrested by police outside his home in Bankstown in the city's southwest.

Several other men are already facing charges over the same alleged plan, which was uncovered in late 2014.

Reports last year said the Garden Island naval base close to the Opera House and other government buildings were among locations mentioned.

Australian Federal Police said: "It will be alleged in court the man was one of a number of people, who have been previously charged regarding this matter, involved in formulating documents connected with preparations to facilitate, assist or engage a person to undertake a terrorist act."

The latest arrest is part of Appleby, an operation investigating people suspected of being involved in domestic acts of terrorism, nationals fighting in Syria and Iraq, and the funding of terrorist organisations.

Police said 15 people have now been charged under Appleby since September 2014.

Last week, an 18-year-old man was arrested over an alleged "imminent" terror plot targeting sites in Sydney, while also trying to get hold of a gun.

In April, a 16-year-old boy was charged with preparing an attack linked to Anzac Day services honouring Australian soldiers in Sydney.

Other arrests include a 17-year-old youth caught in a raid in Melbourne a year ago, allegedly with "improvised explosive devices".

Authorities claim at least six attacks have been foiled on home soil over the past 18 months.