Islamic State's support spreads into Asia

**Neo** · 20-07-2014, 05:37 AM

The Islamic State's growing popularity in the Far East could pose a long-term threat, experts warn.

Southeast Asian men are already fighting in the Middle East, according to Nor Asizan Bin Idris, a professor on national security at the National University of Malaysia.

"For now, they are focused on fighting in the Middle East, but in the future they could target Asia," he told Al Jazeera.

Channel News Asia has identified one Islamic Group recruit as 26-year-old Malaysian Ahmad Tarmimi Maliki, who reportedly drove a military vehicle carrying explosives into Iraq's special forces headquarters in Anbar province, killing 25 soldiers and himself on May 26.

In recent months, the Malaysia Royal Police have arrested 15 men for their alleged links to the Islamic State group. One of the suspects was a 30-year-old naval officer who had been in service for 10 years.

In Singapore, the country’s deputy prime minister, Teo Chee Hean, told parliament just last week that a handful of Singaporeans had gone to fight in Syria, adding: "The presence of former foreign fighters in our region - whether they originate from Southeast Asia or elsewhere - is a security threat to us."

One was identified as Haja Fakkurudeen Usman Ali, a naturalised citizen, who left his wife and three children for Syria. Another is a Singaporean woman who joined her husband and two teenage children. Several others were stopped before leaving.

Meanwhile in Indonesia, a prominent preacher serving a 15-year prison sentence at a maximum security facility near Java has also reportedly urged his followers to fight alongside the Islamic State group.

According to the Jakarta Post, Abu Bakar Bashir sent his message of support through the leader of the Jamaah Anshorut Tauhid, a group designated a terrorist organisation by the US. His group has reportedly continued to raise funds to send fighters abroad.

There are at least 50 known Indonesian armed men who have joined the Islamic State group. One 19-year-old fighter identified by Jakarta Post as Wildan Mukahallad, who previously fought in Syria, died in a suicide attack in Baghdad.

"The seeds of quite a few security issues are being sown in Syria and Iraq at the moment," Shanahan, of Australia's Lowy Institute for International Policy,said.

Islamic State's support spreads into Asia - Features - Al Jazeera English

**thaimeme** · 20-07-2014, 06:17 AM

Threat..?
Threat to what?

**harrybarracuda** · 20-07-2014, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Threat..?
Threat to what?

As with the West, the fear is that once they have a taste for Islamic terrorist bloodletting, they will import it back to their home countries.

**Sumocakewalk** · 20-07-2014, 10:40 PM

I think the main concern being posed in the article is that there is greater risk of terrorist activities occurring in Asian nations due to increased involvement by persons from Asian countries with the Islamic State in the middle east. Some people in Asia are joining up with the group online, and there have been cases where they've traveled to the middle east to participate directly in IS activities. An outcome of this is increased networking, which may lead to more participants being recruited into the IS activities in the middle east, and as an offshoot, in Asia.

Am I extremely worried about this? Sitting in my home in central Thailand today, I am not. However, in the long run, I could see that continuing developments in this direction could make life less pleasant. Examples include the need for increased security in many facets of daily living, such as being able to go to a mall and shop. Today in Thailand we are relatively free to go about our shopping. What if someday the security measures at a mall had to be increased to the levels we see today at an airport? I hope it doesn't get to that point someday.

Anyway, that's just my take on this article and some thoughts about how the future could be impacted. I am sure other members might take away something different from the article.

**neemo** · 20-07-2014, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Threat..?
Threat to what?

As with the West, the fear is that once they have a taste for Islamic terrorist bloodletting, they will import it back to their home countries.

Yep, and they'll have battle experience then... by implication they will also be aided by their new friends in their endeavours back home.

That's if they survive.

**thaimeme** · 20-07-2014, 11:09 PM

Many don't seem to understand who the real boogieman might be.

**poorfalang** · 21-07-2014, 01:38 PM

im next, cant wait to kill myself and some other Muslim twats, islamic heaven is great, full of virgins(will i have to share them with my brothers too) don't like sharing, im a greedy bugger

**Lancelot** · 21-07-2014, 01:47 PM

I can never figure out why the Pattani Liberation Front has never selected civilian targets in tourist areas. Unorganized? Fear of overwhelming retaliation from the Thais?

I read one theory stating it was because they hide in plain site in Phuket. Engage is a hit and run attack in the province, high tail it to Phuket to hide out, launder money and plan their next attack.

Beats me but I'm glad they haven't targeted foreigners. A determined terrorist willing to sacrifice himself is a formidable weapon...

**leemo** · 21-07-2014, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by poorfalang

im next, cant wait to kill myself and some other Muslim twats, islamic heaven is great, full of virgins(will i have to share them with my brothers too) don't like sharing, im a greedy bugger

You don't geddit, do you? If you kill Muslims, unless it's for Allah, you do indeed end up in Paradise but as a virgin being serviced by millions of eternal erections.

Be careful what you hope for, check the fine details.

**leemo** · 21-07-2014, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by Lancelot

I can never figure out why the Pattani Liberation Front has never selected civilian targets in tourist areas. Unorganized? Fear of overwhelming retaliation from the Thais?

I read one theory stating it was because they hide in plain site in Phuket. Engage is a hit and run attack in the province, high tail it to Phuket to hide out, launder money and plan their next attack.

Beats me but I'm glad they haven't targeted foreigners. A determined terrorist willing to sacrifice himself is a formidable weapon...

Only a matter of time before they discover Pattaya and Bangkok, but there are loads of other spots for a friendly blowup.

**Lancelot** · 21-07-2014, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by poorfalang

im next, cant wait to kill myself and some other Muslim twats, islamic heaven is great, full of virgins(will i have to share them with my brothers too) don't like sharing, im a greedy bugger

I think if they are Sunnis you won't have to share

Stop press- how many Shias are there? Always a fly in the ointment...

**Sumocakewalk** · 21-07-2014, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by poorfalang

im next, cant wait to kill myself and some other Muslim twats, islamic heaven is great, full of virgins(will i have to share them with my brothers too) don't like sharing, im a greedy bugger

**neemo** · 21-07-2014, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by Lancelot

I can never figure out why the Pattani Liberation Front has never selected civilian targets in tourist areas. Unorganized? Fear of overwhelming retaliation from the Thais?

...

Check their website.

**thaimeme** · 21-07-2014, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by Lancelot

I can never figure out why the Pattani Liberation Front has never selected civilian targets in tourist areas. Unorganized? Fear of overwhelming retaliation from the Thais?

I read one theory stating it was because they hide in plain site in Phuket. Engage is a hit and run attack in the province, high tail it to Phuket to hide out, launder money and plan their next attack.

Beats me but I'm glad they haven't targeted foreigners. A determined terrorist willing to sacrifice himself is a formidable weapon...

Perhaps they are a different breed than the archetype that you and others cast upon them.....

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