THE Federal Government has confirmed for the first time that the United States has -requested more military assistance to fight -Islamic State. 
Defence Minister Marise Payne said yesterday US Defence Secretary Ash Carter wrote to Australia and 39 other nations in relation to their contributions to the fight against IS.
There was no request from the US that Australia consider placing ground troops in Syria.
Australia is likely to reject the requests, which follows calls from former prime minister Tony Abbott for Western troops on the ground, sparking the prospect that the Turnbull Government's decision could inflame internal tensions.
Australia is already the second-largest contributor to the Coalition campaign, with Government sources suggesting the US request was aimed more squarely at other nations."We will respond to the US in due course but if you bear in mind what we are already doing in our air operations and elsewhere, Australia is -already making a very significant commitment," she said.