Father-Son Duo Received Military Training in Philippines Before Sydney Attack
The two gunmen responsible for the deadly attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach traveled to the Philippines for 'military-style training' just weeks before carrying out Australia's worst mass shooting in decades, according to security sources and Australian media reports.
Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, who killed 16 people and injured more than 40 during the December 14 attack, journeyed to the southern Philippines in early November 2025 for what Australian broadcaster ABC described as combat training. The pair returned to Australia in late November, mere weeks before opening fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people celebrating the Jewish festival of lights.
International Terror Connections
Australian police confirmed during a press conference that the father and son had traveled to the Philippines last month, though what they did there and their exact locations remain under investigation. According to ABC, citing a source within Australia's counter-terrorism unit, the two traveled to southern Mindanao for training.
'The Philippines has been a hotspot for Islamist militants since the early 1990s when terrorist training camps were re-established there,' noted security analyst Michael Clarke in an interview with ABC News. 'This region has long been a destination for those seeking militant training.'
Police revealed that two homemade Islamic State flags were found in the attackers' vehicle, along with explosives. The discovery adds to growing evidence of international terror connections, as ABC previously reported that Naveed Akram had been investigated six years earlier for links to IS.
Australia's Gun Law Overhaul
In response to the massacre, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced sweeping gun law reforms, marking the most significant changes to Australia's firearm regulations since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre that killed 35 people.
'The government is prepared to take all necessary measures,' Albanese stated during a press conference. 'That includes the need for stricter gun legislation.'
The proposed reforms, detailed in ABC's coverage, include making Australian citizenship a requirement for firearm licenses, limiting the number of guns a single person can own, restricting certain weapon types, and accelerating the launch of a national firearms register. One of the Bondi attackers had held a gun license for a decade and possessed six registered firearms.
International Victims and Global Condemnation
The attack has drawn international attention, with a Dutch citizen among the injured. According to NL Times, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the injured citizen is out of life-threatening danger and is receiving consular assistance.
Global leaders including US President Donald Trump, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog have condemned the attack. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof expressed solidarity with Australia, stating, 'We stand with the Australian people and call for continued protection of religious communities everywhere.'
Security Questions and Police Response
During the press conference, journalists questioned why the Jewish gathering wasn't better protected. Sydney Police Commissioner Karen Webb defended the police response, stating, 'We deployed resources based on the threat assessment at that time.' She emphasized that officers patrolling the area ultimately shot the attackers, though several police officers were also injured during the confrontation.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns added, 'Any suggestion that police didn't meet expectations is simply untrue. They didn't take a step back.'
The investigation remains in its early stages, with authorities working to determine if others were involved in planning or supporting the attack. As Australia mourns its deadliest mass shooting in nearly 30 years, the nation faces difficult questions about security, radicalization, and how two individuals with known connections to extremist networks could carry out such a devastating attack.