The Internal Security Department (ISD) stated on Wednesday (July 13) that the relaxing of COVID-19 travel restrictions might lead to an increase in terrorist movement and activity, and that the terrorist danger to Singapore remained high.
Foreign terrorist combatants may go to new battle zones and hotspots, while radicalized individuals may carry out attack plans devised during the epidemic, according to the department's yearly assessment of the terrorism threat.
"Singapore continues to be highlighted in terrorist propaganda and is considered by both foreign terrorist organisations and self-radicalized lone actors as an appealing target for assault."
Despite this, ISD stated that there is presently no particular intelligence indicating an impending terrorist assault on Singapore, but asked the public to be vigilant against "imminent threats."
"Because of the global nature of terrorism, events further abroad, such as those in the Middle East and Afghanistan, can have repercussions much closer to home," the report stated.
Extremists are skilled at opportunistically using such international disputes to further their radical ideologies and recruit followers by capitalizing on a variety of grievances.
The "high" terrorist danger remains unchanged from last year's ISD assessment, which identified self-radicalized individuals motivated by extremist publications as Singapore's primary domestic terror threat.
ISIS CONTINUES TO PRESENT "SIGNIFICANT" THREATS
Externally, ISD stated that terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) continue to represent a "significant" threat because to their capacity to radicalize and incite assaults among their adherents.
"ISIS continues to represent a serious global security danger despite its leadership and territory losses in the main combat zone," ISD stated, citing the fact that it picked a new leader roughly a month after its previous figurehead was killed in a February US operation.
ISD stated that throughout Southeast Asia, ISIS affiliates are the principal source of terrorism and represent the greatest threat due to their capacity to conduct ISIS-inspired strikes.
The department reported that ISIS-aligned Jemaah Ansharut Daulah groups in Indonesia have remained active in preparing assaults, while pro-ISIS terrorist organizations in the southern Philippines continue to engage in violent engagements with security authorities.
ISD stated that the frequency and scope of terror incidents and plans related to or inspired by ISIS in Southeast Asia had decreased over the past year, partly owing to robust counter-terrorism efforts and COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Given that travel restrictions are being eased across the world, this respite is likely short.
As limitations are loosened and cross-border movement begins, terrorist elements may become "more active and revive schemes that had been placed on hold."
ISD stated that ISIS's brutal ideology continues to appeal among radical Islamists in the area, fueled by a flourishing pro-ISIS social media ecosystem.
The government added that these internet networks enable like-minded individuals in the region to organize terror acts across physical boundaries and share operational knowledge, such as weapon-making.
"As travel restrictions are loosened, online coordination between radicals might lead to assaults in the real world," the report stated.
Therefore, the region faces a heightened danger of attacks inspired by ISIS and carried out by lone or small groups of domestic extremists.
ISD thinks that the threat of far-right extremism has "overshadowed" that of Islamist terrorism in the West.
ISD referenced recent mass shootings in the United States in which two gunman murdered 33 people in supermarkets, emphasizing that they were reportedly motivated by Brenton Tarrant, the white nationalist who massacred 51 worshipers in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2019.
ISD stated, "Globally, the Russia-Ukraine war may serve as a rallying point for far-right extremist forces, who have showed interest in the conflict since Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea."
ISD observed claims that over 20,000 volunteers, including possibly far-right extremists, had accepted Ukraine's invitation to join its worldwide legion, and that a number of western nations have supplied "large stockpiles" of weaponry to Ukraine's defense.
"Foreign fighters allied with far-right extremism and the spread of excess weaponry would undoubtedly result from a protracted battle in Ukraine," ISD added.
RISK OF SELF-RADICALIZATION IN SINGAPORE
According to ISD in Singapore, self-radicalization remains the "principal driver" of the domestic terrorist threat.
Since 2015, the Internal Security Act has issued orders against 45 self-radicalized individuals, consisting of 33 Singaporeans and 12 foreigners (ISA).
ISD highlighted the April detention of Singaporean national Radjev Lal Madan Lal, age 29, under the ISA.
Radjev was exposed to the online sermons of a radical preacher from Trinidad and Tobago in 2013 and got "seriously radicalized" by his and other foreign radical preachers' beliefs.
Radjev thought that he was obligated to engage in armed warfare against "enemies of Islam" and contemplated traveling to Afghanistan to join Taliban insurgents. According to ISD, he also attempted to recruit his relatives and friends and started a social media organization to spread his ideology.
Radjev stated that while he lacked detailed assault plans, he was prepared to launch an attack in Singapore or against Singapore's interests abroad, according to the department.
"The example of Radjev highlights the prevalence of terrorist and extremist ideology online, especially those pushed by foreign preachers and ideologues," the report continued.
Maintaining Singapore's zero-tolerance policy towards extremist rhetoric and hate speech, and immunizing the broader community against radical beliefs, is crucial.
Comentários