Islamic State – Philippines Province
{{Short description|Jihadist group in the Philippines}}{{Distinguish|Abu Sayyaf}}{{Infobox militant organization
| name = Islamic State – Philippines Province
| logo = Islamic State – Philipines Wilayah.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert
| leader = Unknown
| active = 2016 – Present
| split_from = Islamic State – East Asia Province
| country = {{Flag|Philippines}}
| allegiance = {{Flag|Islamic State}}
| area = Sulu Archipelago, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato, Malaysia, Indonesia
| ideology = Islamic Statism
| status = Active
| opponents = {{flag|Philippines}}
{{flag|Indonesia}}
{{flag|Malaysia}}
{{collapsible list|bullets = yes | title = Other combatants:
| {{flag|Australia}}
| {{flag|China}}
| {{flag|France}}
| {{flag|New Zealand}}
| {{flag|Russia}}
| {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| {{flag|United States}}
| {{flagicon image|MNLF flag.svg}} Moro National Liberation Front
| {{flagicon image|Flag of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.svg}} Moro Islamic Liberation Front
| {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}} 23px Jemaah Islamiyah
}}
| battles = Moro Conflict
}}
The Islamic State – Philippines Province (ISPP) ({{langx|ar|ولاية الفلبين}}) is the official branch of the Islamic State (IS) operating in the Philippines, primarily in Mindanao. It emerged from local jihadist groups that pledged allegiance to IS, Maute Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and Ansar Khalifa Philippines (AKP).{{Cite web |last=Hummel |first=Kristina |date=2016-03-17 |title=The Islamic State in the Philippines: A Looming Shadow in Southeast Asia? |url=https://ctc.westpoint.edu/the-islamic-state-in-the-philippines-a-looming-shadow-in-southeast-asia/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=Combating Terrorism Center at West Point |language=en-US}}
Background
The group's primary aim is to establish an Islamic State governed by Sharia law in the region, reflecting the broader ideology of Salafi-jihadism that seeks to replace secular governments with an Islamic caliphate.{{Cite web |last=Nissay |first=David |date=2017-05-27 |title=What is ISIS? Its Identity and Goals in a Nutshell {{!}} Beyond the Horizon ISSG |url=https://behorizon.org/what-is-isis-identity-goals/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |language=en-GB}}
ISPP has opposed the peace process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and has been involved in efforts to disrupt the region's stability through violent tactics. The group came to international attention during the 2017 Marawi Siege, when Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf fighters, led by Isnilon Hapilon, attempted to seize control of the city of Marawi, resulting in a five-month-long conflict with Philippine government forces. Despite the death of Hapilon during the siege, ISPP has continued to operate in areas such as Sulu, Basilan, and Maguindanao, engaging in attacks including kidnappings and bombings.{{Cite web |title=The Islamic State's High Stakes War in the Philippines |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/the-islamic-states-high-stakes-war-in-the-philippines/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}
The group operates with a decentralized leadership structure, drawing inspiration from both the global IS network and local insurgents. Its main opponents include the Philippine Armed Forces (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other security forces, with assistance from international partners. Although the group's territorial control has significantly reduced, ISPP remains active in the southern Philippines, funding its operations through activities such as ransom kidnappings and extortion, while continuing to recruit from local communities. While its influence has diminished over time, ISPP remains a significant actor in the ongoing conflict in the region.{{Cite web |title=Islamic State-linked Groups in the Philippines: Fragmented and Weakened {{!}} Program on Extremism {{!}} The George Washington University |url=https://extremism.gwu.edu/islamic-state-in-philippines-fragmented-and-weakened |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Program on Extremism |language=en}}
Attacks by the Group
- 2016 Davao City bombing – A bombing at the Roxas Night Market occurred in Davao City, Philippines, on September 2, 2016, causing at least 14 deaths and 70 injuries.{{Cite web |last=Jesus |first=Julliane Love De |date=2016-09-08 |title=Davao blast suspect identified, Bato says |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/813881/davao-blast-suspect-identified-bato-says |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}
- 2017 Bohol clashes – were armed conflicts that took place in April and May 2017 between Philippine security forces and Moro ISIS-affiliated militants led by members of Abu Sayyaf in Inabanga, Bohol, Philippines.{{Cite news |date=2017-04-16 |title=Philippines: Foiled attack staged by IS-linked extremists - The Washington Post |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/philippines-foiled-attack-staged-by-is-linked-extremists/2017/04/15/4d500bc6-21a9-11e7-bb59-a74ccaf1d02f_story.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416044925/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/philippines-foiled-attack-staged-by-is-linked-extremists/2017/04/15/4d500bc6-21a9-11e7-bb59-a74ccaf1d02f_story.html |archive-date=16 April 2017 }}
- Siege of Marawi – A five-month battle in Marawi between IS-affiliated militants and government forces, causing over 1,100 deaths.{{Cite web |last=Betteridge-Moes |first=Maxine |title=What happened in Marawi? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/10/29/what-happened-in-marawi/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}
- 2019 Jolo Cathedral Bombing – Twin bombings at a church in Jolo, Sulu, killed 23 and injured over 100.{{Cite web |last=Simonette |first=Madeline Holcombe,Virma |date=2019-01-27 |title=20 killed, dozens wounded in Philippines church bombings |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/27/asia/philippines-church-explosion/index.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=CNN |language=en}}
- 2020 Jolo Bombings – Two explosions in Jolo, Sulu, killed 14 and wounded 75.
- 2023 Mindanao State University Bombing – A blast during a Catholic Mass in Marawi killed four and injured 72.{{Cite web |last=Stambaugh |first=Heather Chen, Alex |date=2023-12-03 |title=ISIS claims deadly blast at Catholic mass in southern Philippines |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/02/asia/explosion-sunday-mass-gym-philippines-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=CNN |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant |state=collapsed}}{{Militant Islamism in South Asia}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Islamic State - Philippines Province}}
Category:Islamism in the Philippines
Category:Factions of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant