Key Takeaways
- Father-son gunmen Sajid and Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines for "military-style training" before the Bondi Beach shooting.
- Naveed Akram had links to members of Australia’s pro-Islamic State network, including Wisam Haddad and Youssef Uweinat.
- The Akrams’ ties to an international jihadist network are being examined by investigators.
- Australia’s intelligence agency, ASIO, had investigated Naveed Akram in 2019 over his associations with a Sydney-based IS terrorist cell.
- The Philippines has been a hotspot for Islamist militants since the early 1990s.
Introduction to the Bondi Beach Shooting
The Bondi Beach shooting, which resulted in the deaths of 15 people, has raised concerns about the involvement of international jihadist networks. According to security sources, the father-son gunmen, Sajid and Naveed Akram, travelled to the Philippines in early November to receive "military-style training". This revelation has led investigators to examine the Akrams’ ties to an international jihadist network. The training is believed to have taken place in the southern Philippines, a region known for its Islamist militant activity.
The Akrams’ Links to Pro-Islamic State Network
Naveed Akram, 24, had longstanding links to members of Australia’s pro-Islamic State network, including notorious jihadist spiritual leader Wisam Haddad and convicted IS youth recruiter Youssef Uweinat. However, through a lawyer, Mr Haddad has denied any knowledge of or involvement in the shootings. The ABC has reported that Naveed Akram was investigated by ASIO in 2019 over his associations with a Sydney-based IS terrorist cell. At the time, ASIO found "indications of intent" and associations of concern, but further enquiries were not deemed necessary.
The Philippines as a Hotspot for Islamist Militants
The Philippines has been a hotspot for Islamist militants since the early 1990s, when terrorist training camps previously on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border were re-established in southern Mindanao. The region has continued to be a hub for militant activity, with various groups operating in the area. The fact that the Akrams travelled to the Philippines for training highlights the country’s ongoing significance in the global jihadist landscape.
Investigation into the Bondi Beach Shooting
The investigation into the Bondi Beach shooting is ongoing, with authorities examining the Akrams’ ties to an international jihadist network. The discovery of two Islamic State flags in the Akrams’ car at Bondi Beach has led investigators to believe that the pair had sworn allegiance to the terrorist group. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that ASIO found "no evidence" during a six-month investigation that either the father or son had been radicalised. However, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has said that since ASIO’s 2019 investigation into Naveed Akram, "there was a radical change in the risk profile of that individual".
Response from Authorities
The response from authorities has been cautious, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke avoiding direct answers to questions about the pair’s travel to the Philippines. The fact that the Akrams were not on a terrorism watchlist in the lead-up to the attack, nor was Sajid Akram prevented from legally accessing firearms, has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Australia’s national security agencies. The investigation is ongoing, and it is likely that more information will come to light in the coming days and weeks.
Conclusion
The Bondi Beach shooting has highlighted the ongoing threat of international jihadist networks. The fact that the Akrams travelled to the Philippines for training and had links to pro-Islamic State individuals has raised concerns about the involvement of foreign militant groups in domestic terrorist attacks. As the investigation continues, it is likely that more information will come to light about the Akrams’ ties to an international jihadist network and the circumstances surrounding the Bondi Beach shooting. The incident has also raised questions about the effectiveness of Australia’s national security agencies and the need for ongoing vigilance in the face of terrorist threats.