ISIS moves to Southeast Asia

We always hear of ISIS invading territories in the Middle East, but we never heard of it in Asia. The Philippines, however, are now facing a growing threat of the caliphate. More than 100 people have died, and 70,000 have fled the island of Mindanao as the black flag has been raised.

ISIS, the caliphate that has caused terror around the world is now raising its black flag in the Philippines. A country in which has already endured an attack by ISIS back in 2016, when an explosion in Davao killed 14 people. What is becoming an increasingly alarming growing number of Islamist extremist in south-east Asia, officials are starting to worry over an Asian caliphate. Although ISIS has yet to declare a state in south-east Asia, it is not ruled out, as it has already done so in Saudi Arabia and Libya.

An Influence

Throughout the recent years, the influence of ISIS has spread among southeast Asia, particularly in countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. More than 60 groups have already pledged allegiance to the caliph and leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Just last year there have been a handful of attacks carried out int these countries. On January 14th 2016, four people were killed in a coordinated attack in Jakarta, Indonesia. The attack was linked to ISIS. On June 28th 2016, eight people were injured in an attack at a nightclub in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, which was believed to be carried out by a Malaysian Islamic fighter, and on May 24th 2016, three were killed in a dual suicide attack in Jakarta that authorities believed was carried out by ISIS. The island of Mindanao is mostly Muslim, although the Philippines is a country that is mostly catholic.

Martial Law Declared

In the island of Mindanao lies a city called Marawi, with a population of roughly 200,000. 103 people have died in less than a week as government forces have had violent clashes with ISIS fighters in order to regain control of the city. A martial law was declared all over the island, which is the suspension of ordinary laws. Philippine constitution allows 60 days of martial law, with any extension needing approval by lawmakers.

Residents have described as the invasion as “suddenly” as militant were wearing black and carrying assault rifles.

Fleeing the Island

Right after gunshots could be heard throughout the night, residents started to flee. Images have the world in shock, as people can be seen fleeing in cars with their belongings, as military tanks head the opposite way. So far on Sunday, 19 civilians, 11 military and four policemen were killed according to CNN. 61 militants have also been killed. Although activity by the group has been going on for years in the tri-border area of Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, none have been as aggressive on officials before, which has a growing worry among residents and politicians and have many fleeing.

Isnilon Hapilon

The hunt is now on for Isnilon Hapilon, a Filipino militant who is linked to ISIS. He was designated as the ISIS emir for Southeast Asia just last year, and now officials are on the hunt for him. Earlier this year in January, ISIS declared him to be a part of the group, and joins Abu Sayyaf to establish the Islamic State in the Philippines.

It is assumed that Hapilon has issued an emergency call from the Maute group which is a local Islamist militant organization that pledges allegiance to ISIS. Now surrounded by military officials, and fearing capture, as he is thought to be in the city of Marawi, Hapilon has ordered the group to pour into the city of Marawi by setting buildings on fire, taking hostages, as well as fighting government forces.

Airstrike Launch

With the city under ISIS control, the Philippine military has launched a series of air strikes to take control of Marawi. The strikes have been described as being used towards specific targets, as well as preventing more collateral damage. The goal of course to clear the city of terrorism as well as keeping its troops safe. So far 11 hostages fled from the militant groups in the strikes, swimming across a river to reach government troops. Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, has said he might extend his martial law into the end of the year, as well as the whole nation which has civilians alarmed after the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.#