The authorities in Australia have linked the Sydney terrorist attack that left 15 people dead and injured dozens during a Hanukkah celebration to ISIS.
On Tuesday, Federal police commissioner, Krissy Barrett called the shooting at Bondi Beach “a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State.”
The attack was carried out by a 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, who was shot and killed by police at the scene, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that Naveed was investigated in 2019 by the Australian Security Intelligence Agency over suspected links to an ISIS cell in Sydney.
Sunday’s incident was motivated by “Islamic State ideology,” Albanese stated. Police found two homemade ISIS flags, and improvised explosive devices in Naveed’s vehicle.
The young man, currently in a hospitaliz, is expected to “face criminal charges,” according to New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon.
Lanyon confirmed reports that the father and son recently traveled to the Philippines, with investigators now working to unravel their mission.
The Australian government has not shared information on what country the father migrated from, but reports in the Philippines’ media offer some details.
The Bilyonaryo News Channel quoted the nation’s Bureau of Immigration (BI) as confirming that Sajid and Naveed are allegedly Indian nationals and entered the Philippines from Sydney on November 1.
“BI said the two indicated Davao as their destination before leaving the country on November 28, traveling from Davao to Manila en route back to Sydney,” the outlet reported on Tuesday.
In a call with Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio aligned with Prime Minister Albanese’s description of the attack as “an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism.”
“There can be no compromise with antisemitism – this scourge must be confronted and defeated,” Rubio said, adding that no community should fear celebrating their faith and traditions due to the threat of terror.
Australia declares ISIS inspired father-son terrorist attack in Sydney
