Ansar Khalifa Philippines (AKP), also referred to asAnsar al-Khilafah in the Philippines andAnsarul Khilafah Philippines (Arabic:أنصار الخلافة في الفلبين,romanized: ʾAnṣār al-Khilāfa fī al-Filibbīn,lit. ''Supporters of the Caliphate in the Philippines'') was a Philippine-based militant group split fromMoro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), emerged in August 2014 when it released a video pledging allegiance toISIS.[1][6] TheArmed Forces of the Philippines characterized the group as "bandits" engaging incattle rustling andextortion activities.[7]Malaysia listed the group as terrorist organization in 2019.[8]
Ansar Khalifa Philippines was allegedly based in the provinces of South Cotabato and Sarangani and was initially led by Abu Sharifah.[2] The group was considered to have the closest link to ISIS fighters in Syria among local terrorist groups in the Philippines.[9]
In October 2017, Maguid's widow, Karen Aizha Hamidon, was arrested for recruiting fighters and spreading propaganda related to theBattle of Marawi and theMaute group.[12] Filipino authorities attributed 296social media posts related to "recruiting to the ranks of the ISIS-affiliated Muslim militants" inMarawi to her authorship.[13] She was also identified as a "close associate" ofMusa Cerantonio, an AustralianIslamic scholar and ISIL supporter.[14]
In November 2015, eight members of Ansar Khalifa Philippines were killed in a four-hour firefight against Philippine military units inSultan Kudarat. One of the dead militants was identified as Abdul Fatah, an Indonesian national.[15] On December 28, militants threw an explosive device at Kulotot Videoke Bar in Rosary Heights IV neighborhood,Cotabato City,Maguindanao. There were no casualties or material damages as the device did not fully detonate, Ansar Al-Khilafa claimed responsibility for the attack.[16][17]
Philippine security officials have stated that Ansar Khalifa Philippines had cooperated with the Maute group in carrying out the2016 Davao City bombing.[9] In December 2016, two alleged members of the group were captured by Philippine National Police personnel after a bomb they planted in a trash bin near the United States embassy inManila failed to explode.[18]
The group was said to have worked with theAbu Sayyaf in carrying out the abortive plan to kidnap tourists in theVisayas region that culminated in the2017 Bohol clash.[19] Furthermore, they were reported to have contributed fighters in support of the Maute group-led assault that resulted in the Battle of Marawi.[20]In October 2018, Bassir Sahak, an alleged leader of the group was killed in an encounter with state forces in Sitio Lebe, Barangay Daliao,Maasim, Sarangani.[21][22]
Malaysia