Bondi Beach attackers were influenced by Islamic State ideology, says Australian PM Anthony Albanese

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that the two men responsible for the deadly attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney were motivated by the ideology of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The attack, which happened on Sunday evening during a Jewish festival, claimed 16 lives and left many injured.

The attackers were identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Albanese described the pair as radicalised before the attack and said their actions were driven by a long-standing ideology of hate promoted by ISIS. “It would appear that this was motivated by Islamic State ideology,” the Prime Minister said. “This ideology, which has existed for over a decade, encourages hatred and, in some cases, readiness to commit mass murder.”

Naveed Akram had come to the attention of Australian authorities in 2019, though at the time he was not considered a serious threat. Albanese explained that Naveed was associated with others who were charged and jailed, but he himself was not identified as a person of concern. Despite this, both father and son were radicalised before carrying out the attack at Bondi Beach.

The father-son duo targeted a Jewish festival, causing panic and chaos on the beach. Authorities are investigating their motives and whether they acted alone or had links to a larger terror group. The attack has shocked the nation, with communities coming together to mourn the loss of lives and condemn the violence.

ISIS connections, Pakistan origin, and ongoing investigation

Australian officials revealed that an ISIS flag was found inside the attackers’ car, highlighting the ideological influence behind the attack. Both men are originally from Pakistan, and the father, Sajid, reportedly held six firearms licenses. Authorities are investigating how the duo obtained weapons and whether they had any direct links to international terror organizations.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said, “We want to get to the bottom of this. We want to understand the motives behind it and certainly the actions that have happened.” The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are trying to determine if the attack was a lone-wolf operation or part of a larger network.

The attack has deeply affected Australia, especially the Jewish community, which has expressed fear and concern after the tragedy. The international community has also reacted, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging Australia to take steps to address antisemitic attacks. He criticized Canberra’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state, saying it “pours fuel on the antisemitic fire,” and called for protection of Jewish communities in Australia.

The attack has prompted Australian authorities to review security measures and threat detection methods. Law enforcement agencies are examining how the attackers obtained firearms legally and how radicalisation went undetected despite Naveed being on the radar in 2019. Experts say this raises questions about how young people may be influenced by extremist ideologies and the need for stronger monitoring and prevention measures.

Prime Minister Albanese visited the Bondi Pavilion to pay tribute to the victims and was briefed by police on the ongoing investigation. He said the attack was a stark reminder of the threat posed by radicalised individuals and the importance of vigilance in counterterrorism efforts. The Prime Minister and other officials are working to ensure that families of victims receive support and that communities feel safe.

The tragedy has sparked discussions in Australia about hate-driven violence, religious intolerance, and the challenges of monitoring radicalised individuals. Authorities are examining the links between the attackers and known extremist networks, as well as the role of online platforms in spreading extremist messages.

Police and security officials are also coordinating with international agencies to track possible connections abroad. With the attackers being of Pakistani origin and having an ISIS flag in their car, authorities are cautious about ruling out the involvement of international terror groups. Investigators are working to understand the full chain of radicalisation and planning that led to the attack.

The attack has created a nationwide sense of grief and urgency. Communities across Australia have expressed solidarity with the victims’ families, while Jewish organizations have called for heightened security at religious and cultural events. Authorities are also planning to strengthen measures to detect and prevent extremist acts in the future, including reviewing firearms licenses and monitoring individuals with suspected radical ties.

The Bondi Beach attack has left Australia in shock, highlighting the threat of extremist ideologies and the dangers posed by radicalised individuals. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that the attackers, Sajid and Naveed Akram, were influenced by ISIS ideology. The investigation continues into their motives, weapons, and possible connections to larger terror networks.

With 16 lives lost and many others affected, authorities are working to provide justice for the victims while enhancing national security measures. The tragedy has raised awareness about religious intolerance, radicalisation, and the need for strict counterterrorism strategies. As the nation mourns, Australia is focusing on ensuring such incidents are prevented in the future and that communities feel safe from extremist threats.