Bondi terror suspects driven by ‘Islamic State ideology,’ recently traveled to Philippine island wracked by extremism

Bondi terror suspects driven by ‘Islamic State ideology,’ recently traveled to Philippine island wracked by extremism

The father and son duo suspected of carrying out a massacre at Sydney’s famed Bondi Beach on Sunday were “driven by Islamic state ideology,” police say, as Philippines authorities confirmed the pair recently traveled to a part of that country which has long been a hotbed of extremism.

The two men are 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who was killed exchanging gunfire with police; and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, who is in custody at the hospital and is expected to face significant charges.

Australian counterterrorism official believe the pair underwent military-style training while in the southern Philippines last month, public broadcaster ABC reported on Tuesday.

Two homemade Islamic State flags were found in a vehicle registered to the younger suspect, who was previously assessed by the country’s domestic security agency and deemed not to be a threat, police said.

Authorities say the gunmen targeted Jewish Australians celebrating the first night of the festival Hanukkah. The attack, which killed 15 people, is in the country’s worst mass shooting in almost 30 years.

There is currently no evidence to suggest there were any more individuals involved, police said.

Here’s what we know so far about the suspects.

What were their motives?

The shooting appears to have been inspired by extremist “Islamic State ideology,” according to Australian leader Anthony Albanese.