Australia’s counter-terrorism authorities now say the mass shooters who targeted a Jewish celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach were inspired by the ISIS terrorist group’s ideology.
The attack, which targeted a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s iconic location, was quickly categorized as a terrorist incident.
On the evening of Dec. 14, the father-son duo began firing at a 1,000-strong crowd celebrating the first night of Hanukkah, killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 40 others. One shooter was killed, and the other is in critical condition.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said early findings pointed to ISIS inspiration, but she prefaced that by saying the investigation was still in its early stages.
“There is no evidence to suggest other individuals were involved in this attack. However, we caution that this could change, given it is early in our investigation,” Barrett told reporters on Dec. 16.
“These are the alleged actions of those who have aligned themselves with a terrorist organization, not a religion,” she said, separating radical Islamic ideology from the broader religion.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed those remarks earlier in the day, saying the attack appeared ideologically driven.
“It would appear that this was motivated by Islamic State ideology,” Albanese said in a radio interview.
“The ideology that has been around for more than a decade that led to this ideology of hate, and in this case, a preparedness to engage in mass murder. We are working as hard as we can.”
Flags and IEDs
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that investigators had found extremist material and explosive devices linked to the alleged attackers.
“I also confirmed that the vehicle, which is registered to the younger male, contained IEDs, but I also confirm … that it contained two homemade ISIS flags,” Lanyon said.
Police have not disclosed further details about the explosive devices or whether they were intended for use.
“We continue to work through the motive of this tragedy,” Lanyon said.
“I think it’s really important that our investigators continue to be given time to do that. This is a very complex investigation, and important that we do it thoroughly.”
Albanese said the ideology behind ISIS remains a global threat.
“The radical perversion of Islam is absolutely a problem,” he said. “ISIS created an evil ideology that has been called out, not just by the Australian government but globally right now.”
Earlier ASIO Probe
The investigation has intensified scrutiny of intelligence assessments after it emerged that the younger of the alleged attackers had previously been investigated for extremist links.
Naveed Akram, 24, came to the attention of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in 2019 because of alleged activity involving radicalism, but he was later released after being interviewed and was not placed on a terror watchlist.
Albanese said ASIO’s earlier investigation did not identify Akram as a continuing threat.
Overseas Travel Examined
Police have also confirmed that the alleged attackers traveled overseas shortly before the shooting.
“I can confirm that they did travel to the Philippines,” Lanyon said.
“The reasons why they went to the Philippines, and the purpose of that, and where they went when they were there, is under investigation at the moment.”
Authorities have not indicated whether the trip is believed to be directly connected to the attack.
Terror Task Force Probe
The investigation is being led by the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police, ASIO, and the NSW Crime Commission.
Barrett said the task force was reviewing a large volume of material seized during search warrants but would not release further details at this stage.
“We understand words and information are important for context and comfort,” she said. “However, we are very much focused on action, including conducting a thorough investigation.”
License Error Corrected
Police also issued a correction regarding firearms licensing information previously released.
It was earlier stated that Naveed Akram had held a firearms license since 2015, but Lanyon clarified that he had not.
Sajid Akram applied for a firearms license in October 2015, but the application lapsed in 2016 after required steps were not completed.
“A second Category AB license was applied for by Akram in 2020. That license was recommended for issue, and issued in 2023,” Lanyon said.
“I think it’s important that the transparent nature of the investigation provides that change.”
Police later confirmed the 50-year-old held a valid firearms license for about two years before the attack and that the seized weapons were lawfully attached to that license.
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