BREAKING NEWS

Australian counter-terror operations take place in Sydney

Australian counter-terrorism police were conducting raids across several Sydney suburbs late on Saturday.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the "operational activity" by the Sydney Joint Counter Terrorism Team "relates to an ongoing investigation."

"The safety of the community and police members are the primary consideration during this activity," the AFP said in a press release, declining to provide further information as the raids. 

Australia has been on heightened alert for attacks by home-grown militants returning from fighting in the Middle East, or their supporters, since 2014.