Islamic State Philippines Leadership Celebrates Attacks in Lanao del Norte
Islamic State East Asia Province (ISEAP-Philippines) spokesman Sheikh Abu Abdullah al-Ansari praises the group's counter attacks against AFP soldiers.
Between February 19 and 20, 2024, Islamic State East Asia Province (ISEAP-Philippines) spokesman, Abu Abdullah al-Ansari issued two statements celebrating the group’s recent counter attacks against Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the Lanao del Norte province, Northern Mindanao region. The province borders Lanao del Sur province, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, whose capital is Marawi, the city briefly occupied by the Islamic State in 2017.
In a first message issued on February 19, Abu Abdullah stated that the group had conducted an attack against FP forces in Lanao del Norte as a response to the AFP military operation in Lanao del Sur, the stronghold of the group, south of Marawi city. During the clashes, ISEAP claimed they have killed 6 AFP soldiers.
A second message issued on February 20, written by the Shura Council (Leadership Shura) of ISEAP and conveyed by Abu Abdullah, addressed ISEAP militants, congratulating them for their operations in Lanao del Norte. While the message implicitly acknowledged that the group suffered casualties in Lanao del Sur during AFP recent military offensive, Abu Abdullah argued that the group was able to counter attack in Lanao del Norte.
The message also carried a threat directed to informants of the AFP forces, warning them of consequences if they were to be captured.
It is significant to note that ISEAP has also engaged in fighting with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which the group repeatedly stated are collaborating with AFP forces in order to dislodge the group from Lanao del Sur.
ISEAP-Philippines has been increasing its operations since mid-2023. Significantly, the group has been able not only to conduct attacks in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, but in early December 2023, it claimed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Marawi city, too, targeting the Minadano State University and killing several people.
It is worth highlighting that such attacks have been also acknowledged and praised by Islamic State Central in its weekly newsletters al-Naba, issue 431.
