Vantage | What's behind Philippines battle with Islamic State?

In a shocking turn of events, the Philippines fell victim to a terror attack on Sunday, marked by a devastating bomb blast during a Catholic mass in the city of Marawi. This tragic incident has left a nation in mourning, grappling with the aftermath of the heinous act that claimed the lives of four individuals and left dozens critically injured.The targeted bombing occurred within the premises of a university gym in Marawi, situated on the island of Mindanao in southern Philippines. This region has a history marred by religious extremism making it susceptible to acts of violence of this nature.Responsibility claimsThe Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the attack heightening concerns about the resurgence of religious extremism in the area. The situation has prompted President Ferdinand Marcos Junior to place the army on high alert and launch a massive manhunt to capture the suspected attackers who remain at large.Authorities in the Philippines view the bombing as a threat to national unity, describing it as an attempt to stoke religious tensions. "So we have alerted also our units, all of our units in Mindanao,as well as our other units, just like the Philippine National Police here in the metro Manila area. So that is the update from your side. We are continuously gathering in our operations so that we will be able to run after the perpetrators of this terroristic attack," said General Romeo S Brawner Jr, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines.Gilberto C Teodoro Jr, the Secretary of Defence, emphasised that the attackers aimed to foster confusion and chaos through their terroristic activity."Let us remember that this was done in a religious occasion in Marawi and the intent really to foment terrorist activity, to foment confusion, chaos, is a prime initia of a terrorist activity," said Gilberto C Teodoro Jr. Eyewitness accountsSurvivors of the attack described the horror unleashed during the Catholic mass. The explosive, believed to be made from a mortar round, tore through the gym, leaving behind a scene of devastation with fragments and blood covering the area. One survivor, Cris Jurado, recounted the sudden explosion during the mass, prompting panic and a rush for safety."We went to the 7 a.m. Mass. Everyone was focused during Mass, then during the first reading of the priest, there was a sudden explosion. Everybody started running and when I looked back, I saw a number of bodies on on the ground," said Cris Jurado, a blast victim. History of religious extremismMindanao, the province where the bombing occurred, has a long-standing history of religious extremism. The Philippine Armed Forces have been engaged in continuous operations against extremist groups in the region, reflecting the ongoing struggle to maintain peace and security. The bombing comes on the heels of a significant anti-terror operation conducted by Manila just a day before the attack. Fighter jets and attack helicopters were deployed in one of the largest operations of the year, resulting in the reported killing of 11 Islamic terrorists. Authorities are now considering the possibility that the Marawi bombing could be a retaliatory response to these operations."Because of our continuous operation against the terrorist groups in the whole area of western Mindanao, Maguindanao, Lanao and in Basilan, it is possible that what happened this morning is a retaliatory attack. That is one angle that we are looking in to," said General Brawner Jr.Marawi City has previously been a battleground in 2017 when it witnessed a five-month-long siege between the Islamic State and Philippine forces. Hundreds of civilians lost their lives, and the city was left in ruins. Since then, smaller extremist groups have continued to launch sporadic attacks, primarily targeting civilians in public areas.Classes have resumed at the university in Marawi, albeit with heightened security measures. The Philippine Army is actively combing the area, intensifying efforts to locate and neutralise the suspects behind the recent bombing. With the spectre of the Islamic State's resurgence and the haunting memories of 2017, Manila is determined to prevent a repeat of history by swiftly addressing the current security crisis.As the Philippines grapples with the aftermath of the Marawi bombing, the nation stands united against the threat of religious extremism. The urgent response from the government and security forces underscores the gravity of the situation, as the country works to neutralise the perpetrators and safeguard against the resurgence of the Islamic State.Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.