Islamic State Influence Highlighted Following Deadly Hanukkah Shooting in Sydney

A tragic mass shooting targeting a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney has brought renewed focus on Islamic State (IS), which police believe inspired the perpetrators. The accused gunmen, responsible for Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades, spent time in the Philippines, a known hub for IS-affiliated networks.

Islamic State is a Sunni extremist group that emerged from Iraq and Syria, establishing a so-called caliphate that aggressively sought to enforce its strict interpretation of Sharia law. At its peak between 2014 and 2017, IS controlled large areas across Iraq, Syria, and parts of Libya, ruling millions with brutal practices including public executions and torture.

Following a prolonged military campaign led by a U.S.-led coalition, the caliphate was dismantled with the loss of key cities such as Raqqa and Mosul. However, IS remains active, primarily operating through decentralized cells across Syria, Iraq, parts of Africa like the Sahel region, as well as Afghanistan and Pakistan. The United Nations estimates that approximately 10,000 militants continue to operate in these heartlands.

Its affiliates also maintain a significant presence in southern Philippines, particularly Mindanao, where IS-linked militants seized control of Marawi city in 2017. Despite territorial losses, Islamic State continues to pursue its goal of spreading its radical ideology, now often through affiliated groups and lone sympathizers. The U.S. military currently identifies Abdulqadir Mumin, leader of the Somalia branch, as the group’s global head.

Recent IS-related activities underline its persistent threat. In Syria, the government announced cooperation with a U.S.-led coalition to combat IS last month. Yet, deadly attacks continue: two U.S. soldiers and an interpreter were recently killed by a Syrian security personnel suspected of IS sympathies, and earlier in the year, IS claimed responsibility for an assault on Kurdish-led forces.

Across Africa, IS-linked attacks have also caused significant casualties. In October, an assault during a church night mass in eastern Congo reportedly killed over 40 worshippers according to U.N. sources. February saw IS conduct suicide bombings targeting military bases in Somalia’s Puntland region, prompting retaliatory airstrikes that eliminated dozens of militants.

The Bondi Beach attack underscores the expansive reach of Islamic State ideology and its ability to inspire violent acts worldwide, despite losing physical territorial control. Authorities continue to monitor international militant networks closely to prevent further tragedies.