A terrorism expert has declared New Zealand as the next target of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria if it decides to get involved in the Middle East conflict. In a TVNZ report, Canterbury University's Greg Newbold said the anti-terror raids in Australia only showed that terrorists can strike anywhere, even in New Zealand.

Newbold said New Zealanders should not think an attack is impossible. He recalled the 1985 bombing of the Rainbow Warrior by the French as an example that New Zealand is also vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

The terror expert believes ISIS is a "very intelligent and well organised" extremist group. Newbold suggested a covert surveillance must be conducted to monitor threats against New Zealand. He said people should be prepared to let go of some "freedoms" to prevent terrorism.

The Australia police had conducted early morning raids in Sydney and Brisbane to thwart a terror plot by ISIS in the country. Reports said almost 900 officers from state and federal police and spy agency personnel were involved in the raids. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the raids were done to prevent "demonstration killings."

Intelligence sources revealed that ISIS planned to target people in the country and execute them by beheading. Mr Abbott said the alleged plot was not simply a suspicion. The government acted to prevent the terrorists' intent to spark fear.

The raids followed days after Australia had decided to back the U.S. in the fight against ISIS and raised its national terror alert to the second highest level. Mr Abbott has announced that Australia will be sending Special Forces soldiers and warplanes to join the U.S.-led airstrikes against the Islamic State militants.

Authorities arrested 15 people with one identified as Omarjan Azari, who appeared in a court in Sydney and accused of being part of a plot to "shock and horrify" Australians. He was charged with conspiracy to prepare a terrorist attack.

According to reports, the Abbott government is currently involved in planning laws to stop Australian citizens from joining ISIS in the Middle East. About 60 Australians are believed to be in Iraq and Syria fighting alongside the militants.

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