Filipino troops battle Islamic State-loyal forces for town
Filipino forces have been battling for control over a southern town after Islamic State-loyal forces captured it last week.
Filipino forces have been battling for control over a southern town after Islamic State-loyal forces captured it last week.
The video is the culmination of the Islamic State’s build up of its propaganda and activity in the region.
The infographic gives information on how many Filipino troops have been killed in Islamic State operations and how many “fighting battalions” it has in the country.
With increased social media presence and video and news releases by official Islamic State channels, Islamic State presence, activity, and interest in the Philippines is growing.
The Jund al Tawhid Battalion makes at least three Abu Sayyaf Group battalions to have defected to the Islamic State. However, it is still unclear if the entirety of Abu Sayyaf has done so.
The Philippines continue to face residual threats from jihadist groups, including several who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
The video shows a rudimentary training camp in a forested area somewhere in the Philippines. It is unclear which group is shown training, but the video makes clear of its support to the Islamic State.
The Philippines-based jihadist group is notorious for taking Western hostages in southeast Asia.