Australian authorities have officially declared the horrific mass shooting at Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach a terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS). The incident on Sunday, December 14, 2025, resulted in the deaths of 15 people who were gathered for Jewish festival celebrations.
ISIS Connection Confirmed by Top Officials
Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett stated on Tuesday that the attack was "terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State." This assessment was strongly backed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who cited concrete evidence gathered by investigators.
"The presence of Islamic State flags in the vehicle that has been seized" was a key piece of evidence confirming the terror link, Albanese revealed. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon provided further chilling details, confirming the seized vehicle contained not just the flags but also improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These devices were registered under the name of one of the suspects, 24-year-old Naveed Akram.
Suspects' International Travel Under Scrutiny
A crucial new dimension to the investigation is the suspects' recent international travel. Commissioner Lanyon disclosed that the two gunmen, identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his son Naveed, travelled to the Philippines last month.
The exact purpose of their trip and their specific locations within the Philippines remain unclear and are now a major focus for Australian authorities collaborating with international agencies. This development raises significant questions about potential overseas connections or planning related to the attack.
In the aftermath of the violence, Sajid Akram was shot dead at the scene. His son, Naveed Akram, is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital and remains under police guard.
Calls for Tighter Gun Control Reignited
The tragedy has sparked immediate and forceful calls for even stricter gun control measures in Australia, a country already known for its tough firearms laws. Prime Minister Albanese, along with state leaders, has vowed to tighten regulations further.
This push comes after it emerged that one of the gunmen had legally obtained a cache of six weapons. Australia's most significant gun law reforms followed the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, where 35 people were killed. Since then, mass shootings have been extremely rare, making the Bondi Beach attack a profound national shock.
The community continues to mourn, with floral tributes piling up outside the Bondi Pavilion. As the investigation probes deeper into the ISIS inspiration and the Philippines connection, the nation grapples with the aftermath and the renewed debate on security and gun access.
