US Army soldier arrested in Hawaii for providing support to Islamic State

Our Foreign Staff
Updated
Red evidence tape covers part of the door leading to the condo where Ikaika Kang lives in Waipahu, Hawaii - AP
Red evidence tape covers part of the door leading to the condo where Ikaika Kang lives in Waipahu, Hawaii - AP

A US Army soldier who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and is now stationed in Hawaii has been arrested on charges of providing material support to Islamic State extremists, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Monday.

Ikaika Kang, 34, an active-duty soldier assigned to the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, had been under investigation by the Army and FBI for more than a year and was taken into custody on Saturday, according to an FBI statement provided to Reuters.

According to a criminal complaint filed in US District Court in Honolulu, Kang has sworn allegiance to Islamic State, also known as Isil, the militant group that seized large swaths of territory in Syria and Iraq for a self-proclaimed caliphate.

Birney Bervar, appointed the attorney for Ikaika Kang, addresses reporters outside the federal courthouse in Honolulu on Monday - Credit: AP
Birney Bervar, Kang's attorney, addresses reporters outside the federal courthouse in Honolulu on Monday Credit: AP

He also is accused of attempting to provide military documents and training to the group, the FBI said in its statement.

Federal authorities believe that Kang, who was assigned to the Army's Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu, was a "lone actor" who had no known associations with anyone who might pose a threat to Hawaii, the FBI said.

The exterior of the condo complex where Ikaika Kang lives in Waipahu, Hawaii - Credit: AP
The exterior of the condo complex where Ikaika Kang lives in Waipahu, Hawaii Credit: AP

He was slated to make an initial court appearance on Monday afternoon. 

His military service record said Kang was an air traffic control operator at Wheeler Army Airfield. His rank was sergeant first class.

The solider was arrested in Honolulu, Hawaii - Credit: AP
The solider was arrested in Honolulu, Hawaii Credit: AP

Kang enlisted in the Army in December 2001 just months after the September 11 attacks. He served in Iraq from March 2010 to February 2011 and Afghanistan from July 2013 to April 2014.

FAQ | Islamic State