Even though the Islamic State (ISIS) was driven out from its last stronghold in Iraq and Syria in 2019, recent events have made it clear that this terrorist organization still remains a major threat to the world. Two major attacks in Syria and Australia in the same week have once again exposed the presence of ISIS and the strength of its ideology. Two American soldiers and an American citizen were killed in an attack near Palmyra, Syria on Saturday. US officials and the Syrian government blamed an infiltrator linked to ISIS for the attack.
The very next day, there was an attack during a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, in which at least 15 people died. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the attack appears to be inspired by ISIS. He said that Islamic State flags were also found in the seized vehicle. According to the Police Commissioner of New South Wales, Bondi Beach accused of attack Went to Philippines on 1 November. Also took 5 weeks of military style training here in Davao city.
Reason for terrorist training in Philippines?
Mindanao, the second largest island of the Philippines, has been a stronghold of Islamic jihadists since the 1990s. Experts say that ISIS may have weakened in the Middle East, but it is still capable of providing training, logistical support and ideological inspiration to terrorists. Philippines is proving to be the most suitable place for this.
Southeast Asia has long been considered a hotbed of jihadi activities. Terrorist organizations like Abu Sayyaf have been active here, which is considered the East Asia branch of ISIS. This group has been trying to create a separate Islamic state in the southern Philippines.
ISIS has not been completely destroyed
Experts say that these attacks show that ISIS could never be completely defeated. According to Colin Clark, executive director of the Sufan Center, the organization’s ideology still influences some people around the world. He said that the power of ISIS is now divided, but its influence has not ended.
ISIS’s main stronghold was once in Iraq and Syria, which was eliminated by the US-led coalition in 2019. Despite this, it is estimated that about 2,500 ISIS fighters are still active in Syria and Iraq. America had played an important role in air strikes at that time, but now America and other big countries are paying more attention to other challenges like the rise of China, Ukraine war and Gaza crisis.
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