The ISIS ‘vortex’ on the doorstep: Terror expert warns the Philippines could be Australia’s ‘new Syria’

The Philippines could become the ‘new Syria’ if Islamic State jihadis from the Middle East continue to flock to Southeast Asia, a counter-terror expert has revealed.

If the escalating IS uprising in Marawi, in the country’s south, is not defeated soon, the war on terror could land on Australia’s doorstep, American terror analyst Michael Smith II told 9News on Tuesday.

An estimated 700 people have been killed since battle-hardened IS militants stormed South East Asia in May in an effort to form a caliphate after losing ground in the Middle East.

Marawi could become a ‘vortex’ for militants and supporters, including Australian terrorists, Mr Smith told the publication.

‘It is very difficult to say how the situation in Marawi will play out over the next three to six months,’ Smith said.

‘There is a risk this situation could spiral into a scenario similar to what we have seen in Syria.

‘Australia and Western nations should make it a priority to increase their roles in both enabling Filipino forces, and – to whatever extents necessary and possible – directly engaging Islamic State positions in the southern Philippines.’

Australian officials have announced it will back the Philippines in the violent battle by sending cutting-edge spy planes to the war-torn nation.

Although Mr Smith said support from Australia and other countries is needed, he claimed there is a risk of their intervention ‘galvanizing support for Islamic State.’

n June the Australian military flew a P-3 Orion aircraft was over the Mindanao region, where a bloody battle between the army and jihadists continues.

The use of the planes is classified, however they may pick up signals like mobile phone calls and take aerial images of battle zones to tip-off the Philippines military.

Also in June, an army of Islamists held 31 hostages captive – including 12 children – using some as human shields during a gun battle with troops in Pigcawayan town.

Defence Minister Marise Payne previously told The Sydney Morning Herald ‘the regional threat from terrorism, in particular from Daesh [Islamic State] and foreign fighters, is a direct threat to Australia and our interests.’

‘I recently spoke with my counterpart Secretary of Defence Delfin Lorenzana about how Australia can assist the Philippines in its fight against extremists. We agreed the best way to defeat terrorism in our region is for us to work together.’

Source: Daily Mail