A graphic propaganda video produced by ISIS in the Philippines labels Australia the ‘regional guard dog’ of the US and makes a general call for jihad.
The video highlights Australia’s role in the conflict which has engulfed the southern Phillipines city of Marawi since May, and calls the air campaign waged against it ‘malicious’.
Claiming the actions of its enemies will only attract more Muslims to the cause, ISIS militants in the video call on their followers across Southeast Asia to join them in holy war.
A propaganda and recruitment video (pictured) produced by ISIS in the Philippines labels Australia the ‘regional guard dog’ of the US alongside a general call for Jihad.
Only days after the graphic video was produced, Australia’s overseas intelligence agency boss Nick Warner (pictured, left) travelled to Manila to meet President Rodrigo Duterte (pictured, right)
Only days after the graphic video was produced, Australian Secret Intelligence Service boss Nick Warner travelled to Manila to meet President Rodrigo Duterte.
The two met to discuss regional security issues, with the battle against Islamist militants in Marawi at the top of the agenda.
Australia has been contributing to the fight against ISIS on the southern Philippines island of Mindanao by lending security forces the use of two P3 Orion surveillance planes, The Australian reported.
The United States and China have also provided technical, logistical and intelligence support to the Phillipines army during their campaign to retake Marawi.
Australia has been contributing to the fight against ISIS (pictured) on the southern Philippines island of Mindanao
Claiming the actions of its enemies will only attract more Muslims to the cause, ISIS militants in the video (pictured) call on their followers across Southeast Asia to join them in holy war
ISIS fighters (pictured) can be seen battling Philippines armed forces in the graphic propaganda video
Mr Warner’s trip followed Australia’s formal listing of Islamic State in East Asia as a terrorist organisation.
The ISIS video, which is narrated in English, shows ISIS militants vandalising a church and tearing up photos of the Pope.
‘After soldiers of the Taghut [Infidel government] were left embarrassed and demoralised, Duterte ran to his masters, the defenders of the cross, America, along with their regional guard dog Australia and begged them for help,’ says the narrator.
‘And this is a message which we direct to our Muslim brothers in East Asia, specifically those in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Singapore,’ says an insurgent from Marawi called Abul Yamaan.
‘And this is a message which we direct to our Muslim brothers in East Asia, specifically those in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Singapore,’ says an insurgent from Marawi called Abul Yamaan (pictured)
ISIS fighters (pictured) are shown engaged in fierce urban combat in the streets of Marawi
The video is graphic and well-produced, and has provoked fears it will inspire people to join the militants (pictured)
‘Come forth to the land of Jihad. Come forth to dar-al-Islam in Marawi.’
Malaysian counter-terrorism chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay is concerned that the video could prove effective in enticing people to join ISIS.
He told Channel News Asia it could, ‘inspire followers in Malaysia, Indonesia – all of Southeast Asia – to go to southern Philippines to wage Jihad.’
Indonesian National Police spokesman Setyo Wasisto said the video was being examined to see whether any Indonesian fighters were present, and said authorities were trying to prevent ISIS followers travelling to the conflict zone.
The Philippines armed forces have been supported by other militant groups opposed to ISIS, such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (pictured)
The ISIS video, which is narrated in English, shows ISIS militants vandalising a church (pictured) and tearing up photos of the Pope
Malaysian counter-terrorism chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay is concerned that the video (pictured) could prove effective in enticing people to join ISIS
Fighters from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Yemen and India are among the foreign fighters killed since the conflict erupted in late May.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would not confirm whether Australia would send ground troops if asked, but said Australia is committed to fighting ISIS.
‘We are determined to ensure that ISIL does not establish a foothold in our region. We have a very strong vested interest in ensuring that the ISIL insurgency in the Southern Philippines in Marawi is defeated,’ he said.
The Philippines armed forces have been battling ISIS militants in Marawi since May 23, when hundreds of fighters occupied buildings and took hostages.
They have been supported by other militant groups opposed to ISIS, such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
President Rodrigo Duterte (pictured) met ASIS boss Nick Warner to discuss regional security issues, with the battle against Islamist militants in Marawi at the top of the agenda.