Conflicts

Suspects in Sydney Hanukkah Attack Traveled to Philippines, Police Say

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Dec 17, 2025

THE BARE STORY

Two gunmen killed 15 people in an attack targeting a Hanukkah event near Bondi Beach, Australia, on Sunday. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated the attack was “motivated by ISIS ideology.” Police have identified the alleged perpetrators as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son, Naveed Akram, 24. The elder Akram was reportedly killed during the incident.

Several civilians intervened during the attack. A 44-year-old Syrian-Australian shop owner, Ahmed al Ahmed, tackled one of the gunmen and disarmed him before being shot multiple times by the second attacker. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said al Ahmed saved “countless” lives. A married couple, Boris and Sofia Gurman, and another individual, Reuven Morrison, were killed while attempting to stop the shooters. A fundraiser for al Ahmed, who has undergone surgery, has raised over AU$2.3 million.

An investigation into the suspects is underway. On Tuesday, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed the two men had traveled to the Philippines from November 1 to 28. According to the Philippines Bureau of Immigration, the men had listed the southern city of Davao as their destination.

Philippine officials have publicly rejected reports that the men received military training in the country. A presidential spokesperson, citing the National Security Council, stated there was “no validated report” to support the claim. A terrorism expert, Tom Smith, told a news outlet it was more plausible the suspects could have practiced firing rifles with ex-rebels, but noted this does not constitute a terrorist training camp.

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• The government has officially denied that the suspects received military training. A spokesperson for the Philippine president, citing the National Security Council, stated there is “no validated report” to support allegations that the Akrams received military training in the country. This constitutes a firm and public rejection of the claim from the highest levels of the Philippine government.

• Authorities have cooperated by providing specific travel details. The Philippines Bureau of Immigration confirmed the suspects were in the country and provided the specific detail that they had listed the southern city of Davao as their destination. This shows cooperation with the Australian investigation while also defining the known facts of the suspects' visit from the Philippine perspective.

• Expert opinion differentiates informal practice from formal training camps. A terrorism expert's commentary, mentioned in a news report, made a clear distinction between the possibility of practicing with firearms and the operation of a "terrorist training camp." This supports the Philippine government's position, as the expert's analysis aligns with the denial that the country hosted organized terrorist training facilities.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• An ISIS-motivated attack on a Hanukkah event in Australia could prompt U.S. agencies to increase security for domestic religious gatherings and Jewish community centers.

• The suspects' travel to the Philippines for potential preparation may lead to updated U.S. travel advisories or changes to security screening for international visitors.

• This incident may refine how U.S. intelligence assesses threats from individuals traveling abroad, distinguishing between informal weapons practice and formal terrorist training.

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