Australian troops withdraw from East Timor

ISF in East Timor

flickr-Australian Civil...

Australia withdraws all remaining troops from East Timor after it ended its security mission in the country on November 22, 2012.

The Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) was deployed in East Timor in 2006 to restore stability amid crisis, which began as a conflict between elements of the country's military, threatening to push the Southeast Asian nation into civil war. The violence throughout the country forced thousands of people from their homes. 

East Timor has recently seen significant changes with its economy growing and new government being formed following the July elections.  

"Timorese security services have risen to the challenge and served their nation well throughout these events," said Australian defense and foreign ministers in a statement.

Australia will continue supporting East Timor's local police force. 

East Timor gained independence in 2002 after three years of UN administration that followed more than two decades of bloody guerrilla warfare during Indonesian rule.