Wanted Terrorist Involved in ISIS Recruitment
The Philippine military has reported that Zulkifli bin Abdul Hir alias Marwan, the notorious and thought to be dead leader of militant Islamist organization, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), has been actively recruiting for the jihadist group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Zulkifli bin Abdul Hir alias Marwan
Zulkifli bin Abdul Hir alias Marwan is regarded as an expert bomb maker and one of the United States’ most wanted men. The US offered a $5-million bounty for his capture back in 2007.[1]
Marwan was last seen at the lair of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a violent Southern Philippines terrorist group, in Patikul, Sulu. He was reportedly killed there by US military air strikes in February 2012 along with 14 other terrorists, including Singaporean national and JSG member Muhammad Ali Bin Abd Al-Rahman alias Mauiyah.[2] Only body parts were recovered from the site and DNA results have never been released. At the time, despite doubtful remarks by Malaysia, Philippines senior military officials insisted that Marwan and Mauiya, indeed, had died in the air strikes.[3]
However, after the arrest of ASG leader Khair Mundos in June earlier this year, Mundos disclosed that Marwan and Mauiyah had survived the government raids. Since then, both top extremist leaders have been targeting young Muslims to bring into Iraq and Syria for training.
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
ISIS, also known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant Islamic State (IS), has taken over large parts of northern and western Iraq in recent months. Under the goal of creating an Islamic state across Sunni areas in Iraq and Syria, they have conducted mass terror attacks including streaming executions of U.S. and UK hostages over the internet. In late September, under global pressure, the U.S. began to carry out airstrikes in Northern Syria.
With skillful uses of technological communication, ISIS has managed to extend their presence globally, especially in Southeast Asia.
The ISIS Threat in the Philippines
News of Marwan’s involvement in ISIS has caused alarm in the Philippines. Earlier accounts from various news sources claimed that ISIS had spread their influence to Southern Philippines. Now, with reports that Marawan and other JI members including Quaim, Mawiya, and Abu Saad, are actively recruiting in the country, the government may have a much bigger issue on its hands.
By pledging their allegiance to support ISIS and promote jihad, or “holy war,” Muslim Filipino recruits are expected to spread ISIS’ religious doctrine in the Philippines after their return from training in Iraq and Syria.[4] According to a former police intelligence officer, these recruitment processes have not been entirely by traditional means. Many of the recruits are being targeted online. The main provinces for recruitment are Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Sulu and the Zamboanga peninsula.
Beyond the Philippines
The Philippines is not the only nation in the South and Southeast Asian region plagued with ISIS recruitment. In nearby Indonesia, extremist groups have called support for the Islamic State in multiple major Indonesian cities, including the capital city of Jakarta. Earlier in August, the Indonesian government began to crack down on jihadist groups as revelations of over 60 of its citizens had left the country to fight for ISIS.[5] Additionally, Malaysia has recently tightened surveillance of overseas Malaysians.
The Southeast Asian region has a high concentration of Muslims and the region’s governments are concerned that ISIS’ extremist ideology will become increasingly attractive to these Muslims. Historically, many Southeast Asian Muslims participated in the Afghan war to support Afghanistan from Soviet invasion.[6] There, they were exposed to al Qaeda’s radical values. After the war, the Filipinos that participated returned to the region with not only links to al Qaeda, but also greater ambitions towards creating an independent Southern Philippines Muslim state. Southeast Asian Terrorist organizations such as Bagnsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Abu Sayyaf Group, and Jemaah Islamiyah have ties to ISIS--three of the many terrorist organizations in the region with links to the increasingly powerful group.[7] Southern Philippines in particular is an attractive base for these militant groups because of its dense Muslim communities.
Fighting ISIS is not just a Middle Eastern problem, but a global one.
[1] "'Top Terrorist behind ISIS Recruitment' - The Manila Times Online." The Manila Times Online. September 30, 2014. Accessed October 4, 2014.
[2] Ibid.
[3] "$5m Bounty on 'Dead' Philippines Muslim Militant: Who Is Zulkifli Bin Abdul Hir?" International Business Times RSS. August 7, 2014. Accessed October 4, 2014.
[4] 'Top Terrorist behind ISIS Recruitment' - The Manila Times Online." The Manila Times Online. September 30, 2014. Accessed October 4, 2014.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Liow, Joseph. "ISIS Goes to Asia." The Brookings Institution. September 21, 2014. Accessed October 4, 2014.
[7] Liow, Joseph. "ISIS Goes to Asia." The Brookings Institution. September 21, 2014. Accessed October 4, 2014.