by Christopher W. Holton
The world’s attention has been understandably focused on the horrific Jihadist attack in Manchester, United Kingdom over the past week or so.
But as we have done periodically over the years here at TTB, we thought it proper to update our readers on a theater in the global Jihadist insurgency that occasionally flares up, but gets little attention in American news media.
We have referred to the Philippines as one of the Islamic insurgencies that the world has been ignoring. Here is our coverage on the Philippines’ ongoing effort to battle against Jihad:
https://terrortrendsbulletin.com/category/philippines/
In recent days and weeks Jihadist activity in the Philippines has really flared up.
The Islamic State in the Philippines
Though you’d never know it from U.S. news coverage, the Islamic State has for about a year now escalated violence on the Philippine island of Mindanao.
For the past week, Philippine troops have been in an intense battle with Islamic State forces:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/1254986/
Things spun somewhat out of control when Philippine forces unsuccessfully raided what they believed was the hideout of Islamic State leader Isnilon Hapilon:
http://www.voanews.com/a/manhunt-underway-islamic-state-linked-militant-philippines/3867859.html
In the aftermath of the unsuccessful raid to capture or kill Hapilon, the southern Philippine city of Marawi (population about 200,000), has become overrun by Islamic State Jihadis.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/230084
In response to all of this, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared a 60-day period of martial law in the region…
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/1254998/
Government sources point to credible evidence that foreign Islamic State fighters are mixed in with Philippine Jihadis:
http://www.newsweek.com/philippines-says-foreign-fighters-part-isis-invasion-615953
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40056134
Among the victims of the Jihadists in Marawi are 16 civilians, whose bodies were discovered today:
What this illustrates is that we are in fact in a World War. The Global Jihadist insurgency has a presence on every continent, save Antarctica. It now appears that the Islamic State is setting up an Asian stronghold in the Philippines:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/may/28/isis-moves-into-southeast-asia/
http://www.newsweek.com/philippines-isis-southeast-asian-stronghold-616282?piano_t=1
What jumps out at me as all this evolves is the fact that, a large presence of foreign fighters in a place like Mindanao requires logistical support, especially funding. Where is that funding coming from?
As a side note, after decades of close, warm relations with the US, the Obama years alienated the Philippines, who are now looking to Vladimir Putin for aid.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40022529
Terror Trends Bulletin 