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Tag: radicals

  • Countering The Narrative Of Terrorism

    Countering The Narrative Of Terrorism

    The recent arrest of one Singaporean teenager and the detention of another for being involved in terrorism-related activities is a matter of serious concern for all Singaporeans, for several reasons.

    Firstly, they are some of the youngest would-be “jihadis” encountered here thus far. Post-secondary student M Arifil Azim Putra Norja’i is 19 years old, while the other unnamed individual is only 17.

    Secondly, not only had Arifil desired to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), he also planned to carry out attacks on public places and prominent leaders in Singapore, and attempted to recruit others.

    Thirdly, Arifil attempted to link up with ISIS by befriending people online who he thought could help him join the terrorist group.

    LONG-LASTING THREAT

    The threat posed by such young recruits to militancy is potentially long-lasting. Should they succeed in going to the Middle East and joining ISIS, they will become battle hardened, and if they survive, become the nucleus of a group of South-east Asians in the ISIS ranks. Upon their likely return to Singapore, they will engage in terrorist acts, thereby extending the reach of ISIS to South-east Asia.

    However, the issue of very young people getting involved and taking an interest in terrorism, especially in ISIS, is not exclusive to Singapore. It is a trend evident in many countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia, with some teenagers as young as 14 years old attempting to travel to join ISIS. Many are drawn to the ISIS propaganda on the Internet and social media.

    To prevent terrorist groups from taking root in Singapore and radicalisation permeating into the community, the security authorities need the support of all segments of society. Family, friends, school, religious leaders and the community all have a role to play in countering radicalisation. The case of Arifil is illustrative: He was reported to the authorities by a member of the community who knew him and noticed the changes in his behaviour, enabling further investigation to be conducted.

    Friends and family members who are aware of similar behavioural changes in their circles can do likewise. They should realise that reporting their friends’ suspicious behaviour is not “putting them in trouble” but helping them from causing greater harm or damage to the community.

    On a broader level, there needs to be more community engagement programmes in schools, for the community to raise awareness of the dangers of radicalisation and the distorted and extremist ideology of ISIS and such groups. With early intervention, religious teachers can come forward to help vulnerable individuals from becoming even more radicalised.

    In Singapore, the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) has provided counselling to citizens who have been influenced by radical ideology, since 2003. From its inception, the RRG has provided religious counselling to members of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), self-radicalised individuals, and their family members.

    In its efforts to counter ISIS narrative and engage the community, the RRG has published two public educational pamphlets, The Syrian Conflict and The Fallacies of ISIS Islamic Caliphate, which are accessible on the RRG’s Facebook page.

    Singapore has also adopted a system of recognition of Islamic teachers and scholars called “Asatizah Recognition Scheme”. They are accredited to teach Islam to the public so the latter are not religiously misled or become self-radicalised by materials found on the Internet and extremist websites.

    COUNTERING INTERNET-SAVVY ISLAMIC STATE

    Countering radical ideological narratives has to be done both online and offline. ISIS has exploited the Internet, especially social media, to disseminate its ideology and propaganda.

    There are 46,000 Twitter accounts supporting ISIS globally, and at least 1,000 Facebook accounts of the same nature in South-east Asia. To counter ISIS online, the community needs to work with social media. For example, Facebook and Twitter have taken down accounts of ISIS members and supporters that post ISIS narratives.

    Shutting down such accounts is necessary even though some analysts might protest that such a measure would cut off access to a trove of information about extremist groups. Removing online support for ISIS ideology is one of the ways of carrying out the uphill task of countering online extremism and radicalisation.

    There is also a need for a model to counter extremism and terrorism online. Such efforts should complement successful real-world engagements that are already taking place today. Participants should be moved to be the counter-force and spread the message of peace. Not only would this create an effective dissemination of counter-messages, it would also provide continuity in community engagement efforts on the ground.

    On a positive note, the announcement of the arrest of one teenager and the detention of another by the Ministry of Home Affairs came with the news that three former JI members who were under Detention Order had been released under Restriction Order (RO), and five individuals under the RO had their RO lifted. They had been receptive and cooperative to rehabilitation.

    While the fight against radicalism is not over, it is not a lost cause. The two detained teenagers can change, and there is still a chance for them to become responsible Singaporeans with proper engagement, religious counselling and family support.

    ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

    Nur Irfani and Nur Azlin are Associate Research Fellows of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Ms Irfani is also a volunteer with the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG). This commentary first appeared in RSIS Commentaries.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • ISIS Targeting Indonesia

    ISIS Targeting Indonesia

    Indonesia may be declared the next Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) province, said terrorism expert Professor Rohan Gunaratna.

    And when an area is declared a “province”, resources including foreign fighters move in and join local groups to impose ISIS’ will – this includes its vision of a caliphate.

    ISIS leader Abu Bakar Al-Baghdadi had earlier declared only areas in and around the Middle East such as Sinai, Libya, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Yemen as “provinces”.

    Prof Gunaratna of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) said: “There is a misperception that the IS (another name for ISIS) threat is Syria- and Iraq-centric.

    “IS is going beyond its core area. It is sprinting while some governments are trying to play catch-up.”

    He said there are already several different groups affiliated to ISIS in South-east Asia. (See map on facing page.)

    And last year, Malaysian security authorities said four new terror groups were planning to create an Islamic caliphate to rule parts of South-east Asia, including Singapore.

    They planned to call it Daulah Islamiah Nusantara and it covers Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, southern Thailand and southern Philippines.

    All this makes it clear that ISIS’ aim is not just getting the self-radicalised – like M. Arifil Azim Putra Norja’i, the 19-year-old student who had planned to kill President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong – to push its agenda.

    The big prize is Indonesia as a “province”, and exerting its influence in South-east Asia.

    WHAT PROOF IS THERE THAT ISIS IS REACHING INTO INDONESIA?

    Foreign fighters, including four Uighur men from Xinjiang province in China, were arrested in Indonesia last year.

    There are about 400 Uighurs in Syria fighting for ISIS.

    Then there is Santoso, an ambitious, if somewhat inexperienced Indonesian terrorist, as described in an April report by Indonesia-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC).

    In 2014, Santoso, head of East Indonesia Mujahedeen (MIT), pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Al-Baghdadi.

    He also gave himself the name Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi Al-Indunesi. Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi is the founding father of ISIS, who was killed by the US in 2006.

    Santoso had pushed for Poso in Sulawesi to be an IS “province”.

    Until recently, Al-Baghdadi ignored regions outside of the Middle East.

    But earlier this year, he declared South Asia as an IS “province”, a significant shift.

    Describing Santoso as “the greatest threat”, Prof Gunaratna said ISIS now has a global vision and is looking to link up with groups around the world.

    ISIS is reaching out to conflict zones in Indonesia and the Philippines and will hijack issues like the expulsion of the Rohingya people, he added,

    The four Uighur men had been trying to reach Santoso after a failed attempt to make it to Syria.

    HOW BIG A THREAT IS NETWORK IN POSO?

    A number of terrorists in Indonesia belonging to Jemaah Islamiah (JI) were killed and captured after the 2002 Bali bombing which claimed 202 lives.

    But in 2009, a group under Abu Bakar Bashir, the emir of JI, formed a branch in Poso. The group reached out to former fighters, said Ms Navhat Nuraniyah, an associate research fellow at RSIS.

    She told The New Paper the old network was revived and MIT was formed with Santoso as its leader. MIT’s military camp has been running in Poso since 2011.

    “Poso has a long history. It dates back to 1998 when a sectarian conflict broke out between Muslims and Christians,” said Ms Navhat.

    “JI and other jihadist groups first mobilised their fighters to defend Muslims there, and they subsequently used it as a training ground.”

    She added that MIT has carried out small-scale attacks in Poso including a botched suicide bombing and may not be a sophisticated group yet.

    “However, IS gave them a new purpose and the situation could change if their members or former students come back from Syria or Iraq,” she said.

    They already have the funds.

    In 2011, one of Santoso’s supporters, IT expert Rizki Gunawan, hacked a multi-level marketing company website and stole 6 billion rupiah (S$606,000).

    Part of the funds was said to have been used in a church bombing that year.

    WILL RETURNEES FROM SYRIA POSE THREAT?

    Official Indonesian sources say there are about 50 Indonesians fighting in Syria. Australian media has been reporting the figure as closer to 300.

    Prof Gunaratna said that like the experience in Afghanistan, returnees will have even greater resolve coupled with battlefield experience.

    In February, militants, believed to be returnees, were suspected to have been behind an attempted chlorine bomb attack at a shopping mall in south Jakarta.

    Indonesian police said it was the first such attack ever attempted in Indonesia and that it resembled tactics employed by ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

    Besides combat experience and deepened ideological commitment, IPAC’s director Sidney Jones reportedly said in March that returnees will also have international connections and legitimacy that could provide leadership for the terrorism network.

    Poso (in Sulawesi) has a long history. It dates back to 1998 when a sectarian conflict broke out between Muslims and Christians. JI and other jihadist groups first mobilised their fighters to defend Muslims there, and they subsequently used it as a training ground.

    – Ms Navhat Nuraniyah, an associate research fellow at RSIS

    There is a misperception that the IS (another name for ISIS) threat is Syria- 
and Iraq-centric. IS is going beyond its core area. It is sprinting while some governments are trying to play catch-up.

    – Professor Rohan Gunaratna of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)

    HOTLINE

    Anyone who knows or suspects that a person is radicalised should promptly call the ISD Counter-Terrorism

    Centre’s 24-hour helpline: 1800-2626-473 (1800-2626-ISD).

    Bali bombers’ connection

    Lamongan is a sleepy town about 50km from Surabaya, Indonesia’s second largest city. It was also the home of Bali bombers and brothers Amrozi, Mukhlas and Ali Imron.

    The tiny town’s connection to terrorism has been in the news recently.

    In March, two sisters-in-law from Lamongan were deported from Turkey with their children after trying to get to ISIS-controlled Syria.

    An April report published by the Indonesia-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) said Lamongan’s extremist community was shaped by Jemaah Islamiah and its satellite school.

    Many of the attacks in Indonesia were planned or started in Lamongan, according to the IPAC report.

    The report said the Lamongan network also helped present Santoso’s MIT group as being a serious threat.

    MEDIA ARM

    The report added: “The key to this was providing Santoso with an effective media arm, and the Lamongan network did just this – connecting Santoso first with Al-Qaeda’s Global Islamic Media Front and then with ISIS.

    “The objective was to create the illusion, both internationally and at home, that the Indonesian effort was bigger and more significant than it really was.

    “The propagandists may have wanted international recognition for Indonesia’s home-grown jihad, but they wanted even more to persuade small-town recruits from other parts of Indonesia that Poso was a war worth fighting.”

    Over time, the Lamongan network has also provided recruiters, fighters and propagandists for ISIS.

    Following a series of crackdowns, many of the fighters ran to Poso and Santoso, making him Indonesia’s most wanted terrorist.

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg

  • Helpline Launched To Fight Radicalisation Threat

    Helpline Launched To Fight Radicalisation Threat

    As terrorist group ISIS’ prolific reach becomes more apparent by the day, the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) has come up with three measures to counter the growing threat of self-radicalisation in Singapore, including a new helpline that will be available from early next month.

    The helpline (1800-774-7747) is for members of the public who wish to raise the alert on those whom they feel are in danger of being self-radicalised. It is also meant to serve as an easily-accessible legitimate reference point for those who have questions about extremist ideology or are seeking advice on aspects of Islam.

    The initiative follows reports last month that a self-radicalised 19-year-old student here had plans to join ISIS in Syria, failing which he plotted attacks to be carried out locally. He was detained under the Internal Security Act in April, while another 17-year-old was arrested last month for further investigations.

    In its statement on the detention and arrest then, the Ministry of Home Affairs had highlighted the importance of family members, friends, colleagues and members of the public turning in those they suspect are at threat of radicalisation early.

    Speaking on the sidelines of the 11th RRG Retreat today (June 8), where the helpline was announced, RRG member Ustaz Ahmad Saiful Rijal Hassan said the community often does not know where to go for help for such matters. “So this is a platform other than Facebook or a website, where they can just call directly and talk to us,” he said.

    On whether the helpline, which will be manned by RRG members, will operate round the clock, RRG vice-chairman Mohamed Ali said it depends on the “availability of our own councillors”, and details are being finalised. RRG has 38 members.

    Asked how the group is addressing people’s fear in reporting their loved ones for possible self-radicalisation, Ustaz Ahmad said he thinks the Malay community “is mature enough to know what is right and what is wrong”. On their part they have been promoting co-existence and peace, and they also urge their community to play a part in the national security and national cohesion.

    “If you dont report it early, you might be sending them off to the gallows,” he added.

    The other counter-measure rolled out by the RRG is short religious talks before weekly Friday Prayers where they can raise awareness on the threat of radicalisation. This started last week.

    Meanwhile, a new manual for RRG counsellors on refuting ISIS’ ideology was also launched today. It focuses on the terrorist group’s evolution, its propaganda and ways to debunk their ideology. Topics include challenges for Muslims living in secular environments, the need for critical thinking to evaluate religious sources and debunking the allegation of the Islamic State caliphate, said RRG co-chairman Ustaz Ali Haji Mohamed.

    Speaking at the Retreat today, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean said there is an urgent need to deal with the threat posed by ISIS. Security agencies and the community need to work together to develop a counter ideology against the terrorist group’s extremist ideology that is tailored to Singapore’s context so it is more relevant for Muslim Singaporeans, he added.

    RRG and community groups also need to reach out to youths through the Internet and social media in interesting, appealing and engaging ways, Mr Teo, who is also Minister for Home Affairs, said in Malay. Just as ISIS has used social media to provide religious justifications for its various actions, Singapore’s responses have to be equally, if not more, dynamic, he said.

    Agreeing, Ustaz Ahmad said youths spend a lot of time on the Internet, and “the problem with that is that whatever is (online) are information, not knowledge”.

    So, they are encouraging more Muslim youths to attend religious classes by accredited scholars, he added, citing that at least 60 per cent of Muslim youths here are not in any formal religious classes.

    Ustaz Ali added that public education efforts are important because youths rely heavily on the Internet for religious guidance but without a strong foundation in religious knowledge, they are unable to discern correct Islamic teachings from those of ISIS.

    DPM Teo also said there is a need to go beyond countering radical and distorted ideology, to put forward a positive agenda for all communities to live in harmony.

    “We need to work together to protect our young people from this danger of self-radicalisation through the Internet, so that they do not do harm to themselves, their family, the community and to Singapore,” he said.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • 19 Year Old Planned To Join Syria, Intended To Kill President And Prime Minister

    19 Year Old Planned To Join Syria, Intended To Kill President And Prime Minister

    The 19-year-old student detained last month for planning to join terror group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) intended to kill President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong if he could not leave Singapore for Syria, Mr Lee disclosed on Friday.

    His comments, in a speech at the opening of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security summit, come two days after the Ministry of Home Affairs announced it had detained M Arifil Azim Putra Norja’i, and arrested another 17-year-old student who had been radicalised for further investigations.

    The ministry had said Arifil gave considerable thought to how he would attack key facilities and assassinate government leaders, but did not go into details.

    On Friday, Mr Lee said of his case: “This is why Singapore takes terrorism, and in particular ISIS, very, very seriously. The threat is no longer over there, it is over here.”

    Mr Lee also announced that Singapore’s deployment of a KC-135 tanker refueling aircraft to the Middle East started on Friday. The tanker is part of Singapore’s participation in the international coalition against ISIS.

    In his speech, Mr Lee said terrorism was not an entirely new phenomenon, and various politically-motivated terror groups have largely faded away.

    But the problem of jihadi terrorism will be around for a long time, and many societies were now finding home-grown terrorists and self-radicalised individuals who can mount attacks with minimal resources.

    ISIS has managed to exploit the Internet and social media to attract over 20,000 foreign fighters from all over the world, who will pose a threat when they return.

    ISIS supporters have carried out lone-wolf attacks in a number of countries, and two weeks ago, ISIS leader Abu Bakar al-Baghdadi repeated a call for Muslims to migrate to the Islamic state or wage war in their home countries, Mr Lee added.

    ISIS has also said it intends to establish a wilayat, or province under the caliphate, in South-east Asia, which has become a key recruitment centre for the group. Over 500 Indonesians and dozens of Malaysians have joined ISIS, and its Malay Archipelago combat unit, Katibah Nusantara, has been active on social media.

    Radical groups in the region have also pledged their allegiance, including Jemaah Islamiah spiritual leader Abu Bakar Bashir, whose followers in Singapore planned to set off truck bombs after the Sept 11, 2001 attacks on America.

    Several hundred terrorists in jail in Indonesia are also due to be released in the next two years, Mr Lee said.

    “The idea that ISIS can turn South-east Asia into a province of a worldwide Islamic caliphate controlled by ISIS, that is a grandiose, pie-in-the-sky dream,” Mr Lee added.

    “But it is not so far-fetched that ISIS could establish a base somewhere in the region, in a geographical area under its physical control like in Syria and Iraq, somewhere far from the centres of power of state governments, somewhere where the governments’ writs does not run.

    “And there are quite a few such places in South-east Asia. If ISIS did that, it would pose a very serious threat to the whole of South-east Asia.”

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • Challenge Lies In Fighting IS Ideology, Not Group

    Challenge Lies In Fighting IS Ideology, Not Group

    KUALA LUMPUR — The threat of the Islamic State looms large over Malaysia, where the authorities have arrested dozens of suspected militants and uncovered several terror plots planned in the name of the militant group in recent months.

    Those detained come from all walks of life, making it extremely challenging, if not impossible, for the authorities to profile suspects and pre-empt attacks.

    The country’s top counterterrorism official Ayub Khan said the challenge of dealing with the Islamic State is having to fight ideology rather than an organisation. “(The Islamic State’s) doors are open to anybody … We have our work cut out for us as we are monitoring not just organisations or groups, but also individuals,” he said.

    In the most recent case, six suspected militants were charged last week — the youngest being a 17-year-old. The six were part of a group of 12 who were arrested near Kuala Lumpur last month for plans to attack Putrajaya, the federal parliament and entertainment venues with explosives.

    The police also detained one of the youngest Malaysians who wanted to join the group in February — a 14-year-old girl who planned to marry a man, 22, in Egypt before heading to Syria to join the militant cause.

    Since April 2013, Malaysia has arrested 107 for suspected militant activities. They include military personnel, civil servants and university students, among others — a worrying sign that even people who serve the nation are buying into the group’s ideology. Two men from the Royal Malaysian Air Force were charged last month along with four other suspected militants for plotting to kidnap high-profile figures, rob banks and raid armed-forces installations.

    Malaysia passed the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act Bill last month, giving the police sweeping powers to arrest and detain those suspected of terrorist activities.

    Last August, the police arrested 19 who had formulated plans to bomb pubs and a Malaysian brewery managed by Carlsberg. These were targeted reportedly because Islam forbids the consumption of alcohol.

    A group of radicals arrested last year were planning to attack several targets in Malaysia and had their sights set on a wider campaign — the creation of an Islamic caliphate that includes Singapore, said the counterterrorism division.

    The Islamic State has been adept at spreading its propaganda on social media, making it difficult for authorities to distinguish when pre-emptive action should be taken.

    “We don’t go after these sympathisers as there is no evidence to show they are involved,” Mr Ayub said, but added that the counterterrorism division is taking all possible measures for intelligence gathering and making arrests. Officers are also sent to engage the people by giving talks at schools.

    When asked if Singapore and Malaysia are on high alert for attacks, Mr Ayub replied: “The IS threat is a global problem. We are working with other countries through the exchange of information and intelligence.”

    Of the 200 Malaysians who were fighting in Iraq and Syria, some have died as suicide bombers and others in combat.

    Indonesia faces a similar growing threat from the Islamic State and launched a six-month operation in April to crack down on militants with suspected links to the group. The authorities believe about 500 Indonesians have joined the group in Syria and Iraq. AGENCIES

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com