NEW: #ISIS in the #Philippines - 300-500 members in the south, per @DoD_IG report on Operation Pacific Eagle–Philippines
"There was no significant change in the reported strength, capabilities, territory or leadership of the Philippine ISIS affiliates" - acting IG Sean O'Donnell
.@USEmbassyPH warned in April #COVID19 #coronavirus was placing "significant operational constraints" the #Philippine military "which would limit its ability to deter terrorist operations as the AFP shifts its limited resources to supporting public health efforts" per @DoD_IG
#ISIS-Philippines led for now by Hatib Sawadjaan, who took the role following the group's defeat in #Marawi in September 2017
But US assesses Sawadjaan's hold on power is tenuous & ISIS is "divided among several factions & lacking an overall leader" @DeptofDefense told @DoD_IG
Per @INDOPACOM, #ISIS-#Philippines includes: Abu Sayyaf Group, Esmael faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Maute Group & Ansar Khalifah
All remain "geographically separated & likely had minimal direct contact with one another" @DefenseIntel told @DoD_IG
.@DefenseIntel tells @DoD_IG there's no significant flow of #foreignfighters to #Philippines but report warns "Indonesian & Malaysian terrorists likely continue to view the southern Philippines as an attractive destination to escape counterterrorism pressure"
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.