<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police have tied the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/bondi-shooting" rel="" target="" title=" Bondi Beach "><span>Bondi Beach</span></a><span> attackers to Islamic State (IS) for the first time and confirmed two homemade flags representing the terror group were found in their car.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said early investigations suggested father-and-son duo Sajid and Naveed Akram were "inspired by Islamic State".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Footage that emerged today showed two bystanders in Sydney's Bondi </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-shootings-new-video-shows-bystanders-fighting-alleged-gunmen/d90c2bd1-4aa1-4c8b-8918-c6a2b2ec32a7" rel="" target="" title=" fighting with one of the alleged shooters"><span>fighting with one of the alleged shooters</span></a><span> shortly before they launched an attack on the Hanukkah by the Sea event, killing 15 people. An IS-style flag can be seen on the gunmen's car.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-live-updates-december-16-latest-news-headlines/1e42e1a4-555a-47b9-9bcb-d1419bb04980" rel="" target="" title="Bondi Beach shooting"><strong><span>Bondi Beach shooting</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There is no evidence to suggest other individuals were involved in this attack, however, we caution that this could change given it is early in our investigation," Barrett said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"These are the alleged actions of those who have aligned themselves with a terrorist organisation, not a religion."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed the two accused gunmen travelled to the Philippines last month.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-shooting-attack-inspired-by-islamic-state-two-homemade-flags-found-in-car/8cf6ec24-1256-490f-92f5-6d7f72cd160f" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-shooting-youngest-victim-matilda-seen-in-video-enjoying-herself-shortly-before-shooting/7e6ddfb3-d301-4eb1-ab46-cb81f98346f3" rel="" target="" title=""><strong><span>Heartbreaking footage of youngest Bondi victim</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-terrorism-threat-level-probable-what-does-that-mean-explainer/9263a225-47d7-4154-a88f-60b8d96f6e10" rel="" target="" title="After the Bondi attack, Australia's terror level remains at 'probable'. What does that mean?"><strong><span>Australia's terror level remains at 'probable'. What does that mean?</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-injured-40-in-hospitals-across-sydney-news/241a8dfd-ca5f-4939-bab2-4de5478806ba"><strong><span>Parents of wounded US student say he came here to volunteer and spread love</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He said the reason for the Akrams' travel to the Philippines was still under investigation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>According to </span><a href="https://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/what-australia-is-doing/terrorist-organisations/listed-terrorist-organisations/islamic-state-east-asia" rel="" target="" title="Australian National Security "><span>Australian National Security</span></a><span> there have previously been links between Australians and terrorist groups in the Philippines, such as Islamic State East Asia (ISEA).</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The reasons why they went to the Philippines, and the purpose of that, and where they went when they were there, is under investigation at the moment," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Lanyon confirmed the car used by the shooters, which was registered to the younger man, contained two homemade IS flags.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We continue to work through the motive of this tragedy," Lanyon said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I think it's really important that our investigators continue to be given time to do that."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Philippines military said it was assisting Australian investigators on the attackers' travel to the country. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"At this time, there is no validated information confirming such claims," the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a statement this afternoon. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Matters involving the movements of foreign nationals and potential terrorist links are being closely coordinated through the appropriate government agencies.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The AFP continues to work with the broader security sector to maintain vigilance against any form of terrorism and remains fully committed to supporting civilian authorities in safeguarding national security, in accordance with the Constitution and existing laws."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>If you have been impacted by the terror attack in Bondi there is support available.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>To contact Lifeline Australia, call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. For people under 25 years old, you can contact Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800. Both of these are available on a 24/7 basis. If you wish to donate blood, you can find your nearest donor centre </span></em><a href="https://www.lifeblood.com.au/donor-centre"><em><span>here</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>