What was claimed
Video shows PNG joining other nations in a military alliance with Israel.
Our verdict
False. The footage shows an Australian Army training exercise unrelated to the Middle East conflict, and Israel wasn't involved.
AAP FACTCHECK - A video doesn’t show a news report about Papua New Guinea troops joining a military alliance with Israel in its conflict with Iran, despite claims on social media.
The footage actually shows the Australian Army’s joint Warfighter training exercises, which took place in Queensland earlier in 2025 and didn’t involve Israel or the conflict in the Middle East.
The false claim appears in a Facebook video featuring troops and military vehicles with the caption "JOINT-MILITARY FORCES EXERCISE PREPARATION" and the “iranisraelconflict” hashtag.
A text overlay on the video reads, "PNG is in the 7 allied forces joining the Israelites…".
AAP FactCheck traced the footage to a Seven News report on the Australian Army's Warfighter Exercise in North Queensland on May 19, 2025.
“Soldiers from seven nations have marched on Townsville for the month-long joint Exercise Warfighter,” the description on the 7News Townsville Facebook page says.
The training exercise involved up to 3000 personnel and a range of equipment, including tanks, armoured vehicles, towed artillery and helicopters.
The operation involves the Australian Army and regional allies training together to contribute to regional security, according to the Australian Defence Force website.
"These exercises seek to continually develop the Australian Army, in partnership with its regional allies and partners, as a respected and professional fighting force ready to protect and defend Australia and its interests," it states.
PNG was among the countries that joined the North Queensland Warfighter Exercise earlier this year, along with New Zealand, the US, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia.
The separate South Queensland Warfighter Exercise, from June 21 to July 5, involved the UK, Fiji, Tonga and NZ.
The Australian Army has not listed Israel as a participant in either of those exercises.
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