Lying in wait: Behind Malaysia's influx of foreign terrorists
(Phoyo Source: www.channelnewsasia.com )
KUAL A LUMPUR: Malaysian police have arrested more foreign terrorist fighters this year than in the past four years combined, with more possibly lying in wait - some sent by Marawi siege leader Mahmud Ahmad.
In an exclusive interview, counter-terrorism chief, Ayob Khan told Channel NewsAsia that some of these militants were planning attacks on Malaysia, while others were Islamic State sleeper cells waiting for instructions from their leaders in Syria and Iraq.
The head of the Malaysian special branch's counter-terrorism divison, Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, told Channel NewsAsia 70 foreign fighters have been detained by Malaysian officials since 2013.
Of that number, 45 were picked up this year alone , in operations sparked by intelligence that Islamic State (IS) militants were shifting focus, working with terror groups in Asia, as they lose ground in the Middle East.
Read more at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/lying-in-wait-behind-malaysia-s-influx-of-foreign-terrorists-9331160
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Nine arrested were suspected militants from the southern Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), some of whom are thought to have been in contact with Mahmud, who is Malaysia's most wanted terrorist.
"We do believe they have long term plans to carry out attacks in Malaysia."
We usually think of the so-called "Islamic State" as being active only in Iraq & Syria. But they are also becoming increasingly active in Africa as well as countries in Eastern Asia such as Malaysia and the Philippines.
Of that number, 45 were picked up this year alone , in operations sparked by intelligence that Islamic State (IS) militants were shifting focus, working with terror groups in Asia, as they lose ground in the Middle East.
Sure, the victories over ther Islamic State in Iraq and Syria are a great achievement...but we must also be aware of the fact that since IS defaets in the Middle east, they have shifted their focus to Europ e, Africa , and even the Philippines.