Southeast Asian ‘Islamic State’ pledges allegiance to Abu Sayyaf leader, according to video
Southeast Asian militants who claim to be fighting for Islamic State (IS) in the Middle East have said they have chosen one of the most wanted men in the Philippines to head a regional faction of the ultra-radical group, security officials said on Thursday.
The claim was made in a video that was recently posted on social media, possibly last week, said a military intelligence official in the Philippines.
This video is not just propaganda, but is a serious threat
The video is significant, experts say, because it shows that IS supporters are now being asked to stay home and unify under one umbrella group to launch attacks in Southeast Asia, instead of being drawn to the fight in the Middle East.
Authorities in the region have been on heightened alert since IS claimed an attack in the Indonesian capital Jakarta in January in which eight people were killed, including four of the attackers.
In the 20-minute video, young men and some children in military fatigues are shown carrying and training with weapons, and holding IS flags. A section of the video showed some of these men engaging in gunbattles in jungles but it was not clear where and with whom.
The video also showed three men apparently being executed, but it was not clear where and who they were.