Bondi Attackers Travelled to Philippines Last Month; ISIS-Inspired Terrorism
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The father and son who allegedly carried out Sunday’s anti-Semitic terror attack at Bondi Beach travelled to the Philippines just weeks before the shooting, with investigators now probing whether the trip was connected to homemade ISIS flags and explosive devices found in their vehicle.
The ISIS Evidence
Australian Federal Police have declared the Bondi Beach shooting an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack after investigators made disturbing discoveries in a vehicle registered to 24-year-old suspect Naveed Akram.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed the vehicle contained two homemade Islamic State flags and improvised explosive devices.
“Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State, allegedly committed by a father and son,” AFP CommissionerKrissy Barrett said Tuesday.
The AFP’s assessment was unambiguous: Jewish Australians were deliberately targeted during Hanukkah celebrations.
“On Sunday, Jewish Australians were hunted down in broad daylight at an iconic Australian beach,” Barrett said. “The suspected murderers, callous in how they allegedly coordinated their attack, appear to have had no regard for the age or ableness of their victims.”
The Philippines Trip
Commissioner Lanyon confirmed both suspects — Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed — travelled to the Philippines last month.
The purpose of that trip is now a central focus of the investigation.
“The reasons why they went to the Philippines and the purpose of that and where they went when they were there is under investigation at the moment,” Commissioner Lanyon said.
When journalists asked whether the trip triggered any security alerts in Australia, Commissioner Lanyon said she was not aware of any such warnings.
“I don’t believe it was an intelligence failure at all,” she said. “We’re talking about something that’s retrospective, post what is a horrific crime.”
What Is Islamic State?
Islamic State (ISIS) is a terrorist organisation that gained global notoriety during its violent territorial campaign across Iraq and Syria from 2014. Though largely defeated militarily, ISIS continues to inspire so-called “lone wolf” attacks worldwide through online propaganda and extremist networks.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the ideology as “a radical perversion of Islam” and “created by an evil ideology.”
Authorities emphasised the attack reflects alignment with a terrorist organisation, not a religion.
“These are the alleged actions of those who have aligned themselves with a terrorist organisation, not a religion,” Commissioner Barrett said.
Reported Extremist Links
Reports indicate Naveed Akram had prior connections to extremism in Australia, including links to Islamic State through a jihadist preacher.
This raises significant questions about how his father, Sajid Akram, obtained a firearms licence in 2023 while living in the same household.
Commissioner Lanyon confirmed the guns used in Sunday’s attack were legally registered to Sajid Akram’s Category AB licence.
The Attack
The shooting unfolded Sunday afternoon at Bondi Beach, where Jewish Australians had gathered to celebrate the second day of Hanukkah.
NSW Police officers — armed only with handguns — confronted the attackers on a footbridge. The suspects carried long-range rifles.
“They didn’t take a backward step,” Premier Chris Minns said. “They engaged the gunman on the footbridge with handguns.”
Sajid Akram was killed by police. Naveed Akram survived and remains hospitalised, facing significant charges.
Two police officers are in critical condition. Premier Minns noted they were wounded while advancing toward the gunmen, not retreating.
“New South Wales Police Officers, some of whom had been in the job for a number of months, put their lives on the line to save people in this state,” Minns said.
What Investigators Are Examining
The joint counter-terrorism investigation — involving the AFP, NSW Police, ASIO, and the NSW Crime Commission — is pursuing several lines of inquiry:
The Philippines trip: Where did they go? Who did they meet? Was it connected to extremist training or networks?
Associates: Were others involved or aware of the planned attack? Currently, authorities believe only the two suspects participated.
The firearms licence: How did Sajid Akram obtain a gun licence while his son was under investigation?
Online activity: What role did online radicalisation play?
Commissioner Lanyon said investigators are working with international partners, though she declined to confirm whether Filipino intelligence agencies had monitored the pair.
Government Response
The Prime Minister convened a National Security Committee meeting Tuesday afternoon and emphasised the government’s commitment to combating anti-Semitism.
“These anti-Semitic terrorist attacks will not be successful with their objective, which is to divide us as a nation,” Albanese said.
The government has passed hate speech legislation and is implementing recommendations from the anti-Semitism envoy, including a National Hate Crimes and Incident Database.
Operation Shelter — NSW Police’s protection operation for Jewish communities — has been expanded, with static guards now stationed at synagogues and Jewish community sites across Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
What Happens Next
The crime scene at Campbell Parade near Bondi Beach will remain closed until Wednesday afternoon as forensic and ballistic examinations continue.
A community reception centre has opened at the Intercontinental Hotel at Coogee, providing health and mental health support for witnesses and those affected.
Anyone with information can contact the Public Information and Inquiry Centre: 1800 227 228.
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