Islamic State identifies jihadi who hit Manila hotel, police say it was robbery gone wrong

JUNE 2, 2017 8:07 PM BY ROBERT SPENCER26 COMMENTS

“ISIS fanatics have again claimed responsibility for an attack on a Manila casino that left dozens dead – despite police declaring almost immediately that it was a robbery gone wrong….However, ISIS has today insisted for a second time that the attack was carried out by one of its jihadists named Abul-Khayr al-Arkhabili. ‘With God’s help, our brother Abul Khayr al-Arkhabili managed to hide with his machine gun among a group of Christians, who fight Islam, inside a Resorts World resort in Manila, Philippines, where he opened fire on them, killing and injuring about 100 of them, until he, eventually, died as a martyr.'”

Both have motives to lie: the Islamic State to exaggerate its reach, and the police to downplay the significance of the event. Whoever is telling the truth here, note that the Islamic State once again casts its jihad as one of Christians vs. Muslims — while Western counterterror analysts continue to downplay or deny outright the religious aspect of its motivations.

“ISIS reveal identity of their ‘lone wolf’ gunman in Manila who killed 36 after police insisted he was just a ‘white gambler’ with a vendetta against casino,” by Rachel Burford and Julian Robinson,MailOnline, June 2, 2017:

ISIS fanatics have again claimed responsibility for an attack on a Manila casino that left dozens dead – despite police declaring almost immediately that it was a robbery gone wrong.

At least 36 people were killed last night after a ‘white, English-speaking’ masked gunman attacked a casino in Manila, stole £1.7million ($2.3million) worth of betting chips and set fire to tables before he ‘burned himself to death’.

It is understood many of the victims were women who suffocated due to smoke inhalation as crowds battled to get to the exits.

The Philippines is battling ISIS and the terror group claimed responsibility early on for the attack – but national police were quick to insist that the deadly raid was a robbery gone wrong.

However, ISIS has today insisted for a second time that the attack was carried out by one of its jihadists named Abul-Khayr al-Arkhabili.

‘With God’s help, our brother Abul Khayr al-Arkhabili managed to hide with his machine gun among a group of Christians, who fight Islam, inside a Resorts World resort in Manila, Philippines, where he opened fire on them, killing and injuring about 100 of them, until he, eventually, died as a martyr.’

Witnesses said the gunman, who had an assault rifle, entered the Resorts World Manila casino in Pasay City, Philippines, shortly after midnight on Thursday before opening fire on betting terminals and televisions.

It sparked mass panic and the man, who was seen on camera unmasked but later said to be masked during the attack, was then seen pouring fuel over tables and setting them ablaze while gamblers were fleeing for their lives.

Explosions were also heard coming from the tourist hotspot and bloodied victims were seen being stretchered out of the building.

A Resorts World Manila official said the dead, who all died from smoke inhalation, included 13 employees and 22 guests.

Philippine police said they’re looking to speak to a person of interest in connection to the attack, though the COO of Resorts World Manila has insisted that only one person was involved.

Before the gunmen had been killed and police had confirmed any motive, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility and US President Donald Trump also branded it a ‘terrorist attack’. It was later revealed that the incident was likely a robbery gone wrong….