A New Filipino Leader for the Islamic State in Southeast Asia
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News of a new Filipino commander for the Southeast Asian branch of the Islamic State (IS) terror organization has caused a stir on the internet.
Recently, pro-IS media outlets have been hailing Esmael Abdulmalik, alias Abu Turaife, the head of the Turaife faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a terror organization in the southern Philippines, as the new emir.
According to reports, Abu Turaife took over as regional IS head following the death of Faharuddin Hadji Sattar (Abu Zacharia) in a June military operation in the Philippines.
Experts disagreed on whether or not Abu Turaife would inspire new members to join the terrorist organisation in the Philippines and elsewhere in the region.
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