TERRORIST GROUPS
ISIS-Philippines
( AS OF SEPTEMBER 2022 )
OVERVIEW
ISIS-Philippines, also known as ISIS–East Asia, is a branch of ISIS that is based primarily in the Philippines and aspires to expand ISIS’s self-proclaimed caliphate to Southeast Asia. ISIS officially recognized the group as an affiliate in 2016, and the group includes among its members some veterans of older Southeast Asian terrorist or militant groups, such as the Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah Islamiyah. ISIS-Philippines is organized into regional battalions in the Philippines.
OPERATING AREAS
Southern Philippines
MEMBERS
300 to 500 members
TACTICS AND TARGETS
ISIS-Philippines conducts attacks against Philippine military, police, government, and Christian civilian targets using IEDs, suicide operatives, VBIEDs, and small arms.Unusual for an ISIS element, ISIS-Philippines has used female operatives to conduct suicide attacks.
FOREIGN TERRORIST GROUP DESIGNATION
The US State Department designated ISIS-Philippines as a foreign terrorist organization in February 2018.
KEY LEADERS
Salahuddin Hassan [DECEASED]
Former amir; killed in October 2021
Isnilon Hapilon [DECEASED]
Former amir; killed in March 2019
NOTABLE ATTACKS
24 August 2020
Jolo Island, Sulu Province, Philippines
Two suicide bombers attack Philippine military personnel and police in a shopping area, killing at least 15 and wounding 77 others.
27 January 2019
Jolo Island, Sulu Province, Philippines
Two suicide bombers who were affiliated with ISIS-Philippines and the Abu Sayyaf Group kill 23 people and wound more than 100 at the Jolo Cathedral.
May to October 2017
Marawi City, Philippines
ISIS-Philippines fighters occupy Marawi City and battle with the Philippine military for five months before government forces liberate the city.