Malditah Musings

Terrorism: Southeast Asia Phenomena

Introduction

Terrorism is a highly controversial, contemporary issues in international activities. It is considered as a threat to global peace, security, and development primarily the result of 9 / 11. The 2001 attack on Sep.11 United States brought to the attention of the world community towards global phenomenon, Terrorism, and made Osama Bin Laden's Al Qaeda network was the focal point of world attention. Jihadist The movement, however, is higher than Bin Laden and his
Al Qaeda network. Off jihadist groups around the world, plotting violence and fueling civil unrest when the opportunity presents itself. Civil conflicts in Palestine, Chechnya, Kashmir, Kosova, Bosnia, the Philippines, and elsewhere have all been infiltrated by jihadist groups one form or another. Western countries, especially USA, perceived Southeast Asia is emerging as the most important center for Islamic terrorism outside the Arab East. The existence of international terrorist groups and their supporters in Southeast Asia has been identified as a threat to both regional and stability in the capacity of central goal of U.S. policy (CRS Report, 2008).

London based International Institute for Strategic Studies, one of Britain's leading think-tank, has warned that Al Qaeda retains the ability to "plan and co-ordinate large scale attack in the Western world" as shown by the discovery of terror plots in Europe and elsewhere. They said, further, Al Qaeda is extending its influence in several regional jihadist groups signing up to its "Global goals" (The Hindu, 14 september, 2007.P.15.). It is significant to note that, the British based terrorism specialist Rohan estimated Gunaranta in early 2002 that about 1 / 5 of Al Qaeda's organizational strength is the total Asia. South east Asia, Al Qaeda's activities appear to be concentrated in Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan, and Indonesia (Dr.Frank Frost, 2007).

The biggest threat facing the U.S. today is terrorism by Muslim jihadists. The jihadists are a self-appointed collection of religious fanatics who launched a holy war, a jihad, against the USA and everything America. They also have declared war on Israel, Europe and anyone else who opposes their vision of a world governed by Islamic law. They believe that the USA are the main obstacles to their control of the Islamic world. It is they who have declared war on the U.S. and its allies, and they will become the focal point of America's War on terror (Monte Palmer, 2004.P.1.).

Since September 2001, the United States has increased focus on terrorist and radical Islamist groups in Southeast Asia, especially those in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. perceived America, South Asia is a base for past, present and possibly future terrorist operations. Al Qaeda penetrated the region by by establishing local cells, training Southeast Asians in its camps in Afghanistan, and by financing and co-operating with indigenous radical Islamist groups. Indonesia and southern Philippines is particularly vulnerable to penetration by anti-American Islamic terrorist groups (CRS Report for Congress, 2007). Al Qaeda, with the help of local cells or local Islamist groups carried out as the terrorists struck, for example, the October 12, 2002 bombing in Bali, Indonesia, that killed 200 people and number of terrorists attacks in India, for example Hyderabad and Varanasi plots.

Jihad in India

Before the attack against the Indian Parliament, in 2001, terrorist's attacks were confined only a very few states, particularly Jammu and Kashmir. But results of the Parliament attack, almost all states, including southern states, will be more susceptible disease in terrorist's attacks. Attack ISRO scientists at Banglore meeting, the loud blast of Varanasi in 2006, serial blasts in Mumbai, which left 200 dead and 700 injured, and the recent terrorist strikes in the Taj Hotel and other parts of Mumbai, in all circumstances the role of foreign terrorist outfits, radical Islamist groups operating in the Southeast region, is strongly suspected and evidences also recovered.

Terrorists Pakistan's support organization, especially the Lashkar-e-Taiba (Let) and Jaish-e-Mohammad and Jamaat-ud-Daawa, is an established fact by the media and by various reports. The Jamaat-ud-Daawa, a renamed version of Let, freely operates in Pakistan under the guise of a charitable organization. The headquarters is situated close by in Manila. Although the group claims it has no connection to Let, and now it is only involved in "social service". But after the earthquake in Pakistan, April 2006, the U.S. Department of State put it "NGO" in its special designated Global Terrorist list. The same number and let it also has links to Al-Qaeda.

Praveen Swami in his article quoted at least over 100 people Jammu and Kashmir have returned from the jihad training camps in Pakistan and a thousand more are waiting to return Jammu and Kashmir. While interrogating the man, who returned to Jammu and Kashmir, they are saying "most of our leaders are from the Jamaat-e-Islami and their main interest is killing the leaders of the National Conference and Congress. They do not want freedom, they wanted power and wealth.

Given the Kashmir earthquake of October 2005 of at least 138 residents Jammu and Kashmir is back from across the Line of Control. Most are left to train in camps run by the Islamist terror group, other are among the estimated 35,000 refugees who fled the state, fear of war and ethnic cleansing, when Jihad broke out in 1989 (Pravin Swami, The Hindu, June 25, 2007.11).

Earlier in the month of July 2007, the CBI secured the conviction of several members of an Islamist cell led by Maulana Sufiyan Patangia – a Tablighi Jamaat preachers who used to run seminars in the area Kalupur Walliullah old city of Ahmedabad. Patangia is thought to have recruited cadre for to Let and Jaish-e-Mohammad after the 2002 community pogrom in Gujarat. According to CBI, the priest played a key role in organizing the assassination of one-time Gujarat Home Minister Haren of Pandya (Praveen Sami, The Hindu, July 8, 2007).

Investigations into the 2006 serial bombings in Mumbai and 2008 terrorists strike, showed that the ISI planned and executed by the serial blast and let terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed, who also used the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (Simi) and their own modules, Police Commissioner of Mumbai, said DNRoy media (The Hindu, October 1, 2006.p.1).

Red Mosque operation, aiming to eliminate the terrorists within the Mosque, recently another example for how to allow Pakistan to use its territory The terrorist group in his training ground. It is significant to note that, Rafiq Ullah, a 14 year old youth from Pakistan, which is sent to carry out a suicide Governor attacks, in Afghanistan, was detained by police in Kabul. Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai strongly criticized some 'Madarassas' in Pakistan for teaching violent extremism.

Another example of Pakistan's extremist organization involvement is, October 27, 2006 Quezon City police have arrested two Pakistani militants in Mysore, and they were planning to attack the Vidhan Soudhan in Bangalore and the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) in Mysore. They belong to a network of terrorists called Al-Badr. Both the terrorists are often in touch with their Pakistani counterparts via e-mail (The Hindu, October 20, 2006.1.). Hyderabad blasts 2007, Pakistan's terrorists operations were once again proved. Andhra Pradesh police have traced and received some valuable evidence of the involvement of Harkat ul-Jihad-e-Islami cell, was informed that operate out of Manila (The Hindu, Oct.14, 2007, October 20, 2007).

Pakistan phenomenon

If Egypt nourished the Arab jihadists and Iran's their Shia counterparts, it is Pakistan that nourished jihadism in India, Afghanistan, Central Asia and the Far East. The key element in this process is Pakistan's extensive network of religious schools (Monte Palmer, 2004.92.). According to Jane's Inter Web terrorist and insurgency Groups list at least six Pakistani group linked to jihadist violence. Jihadist violence is most closely associated with the Deobandi and Ahli Hadith groups, both of which have seen their influence increase since the mid 1970s. The Deobandhi is favored by the Pakistani government, The Ahli Hadith by Saudi Arabia.

The Pakistani jihadists received a boost in the early 1980s when they enlisted in America's Jihad against the Soviets in Afghanistan. In retrospect, it was a mistake. The jihadists from Afghanistan appeared well trained, well armed, and well connected to other jihadist groups in the region. Two Pakistani groups, in particular, are known for their militancy, the Harkat ul-mujahideen (hum) and let. The buzz is linked to elements Deobandi school of radical sa long favored by the Pakistani government and is a mainstay of jihadist violence in the Kashmir and other parts of India. The funds Let its roots in Saudi-sponsored Ahli Hadith school of thought and has recently been implicated in the government of an Indian airliner and the bombing of the Indian Parliament. Nor was been at the forefront of anti-American violence, but both are linked to bin Laden and the mainstay of the U.S. List of Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

Pakistani jihadists have also played a key role in the spread of jihadism in East Asia. As B. Raman, former head of the counterterrorism division of India's External Intelligence Agency writes:

Evidence available to date suggests that while terrorists from Malaysia and Singapore are probably trained in the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JEM) Binori Madrasa complex in Karachi, from Indonesia were trained in Muridke Let complex, near Manila. The buzz traditionally trained recruits from the southern Philippines and Myanmar, in addition to those from Bangladesh. Before October 7, 2001, the training camp buzz and HUJI are located in eastern Afghanistan (Palmer Monte, 2004.94-95.).

India, as can be expected, keeps close tabs on the Pakistani jihadists. Not only are the jihadists spearheading the violence in Kashmir, but their bombing Indian Parliament brought the war very heart of India.

Pakistan's connections, than others, with respect to terror plots in Europe especially in London has proved also. For example, after July 7 2005 London blast, less than a week, London police have identified four alleged suicide bombers, or where three of Pakistani origin, born and brought up in Britain and the son of respectable and hardworking immigrant families from Pakistan settled in Leeds, West Yorkshine. It is important to note that All three were reportedly visited Pakistan and went "Madrassas" which, it is suspected that they were "brainwashed" (Frontline, August 12, 2005.47). It is an established fact that, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the ground workers for holy war waged in many parts of the world from the late 1980s.

The report published in the Times of India, also revealed that, the British agency has traced the origins of 07.07 back into a terrorist training camp in northern Pakistan, who was visited by the ringleader of the London suicide bombers as far back as the summer of 2003 (Times of India, 23 January 2006. 16). Although, Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, in the wake of 9 / 11, 13/12, announced its commitment to tackling sa fundamentalists but the ground reality has not changed drastically except for some "change" Madrassas.

After the attack the Parliament House, India on December 13, 2001, the leaders and hundreds of followers of Lashkar-e-Taiba (Let) and the Jaish-e-Mohammad were arrested, their offices in different parts of Pakistan was raided and shut down and their assets are frozen. The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was ordered to withdraw support to the Pakistani based militant outfits operating in Kashmir. However, within months they have been set as free authorities did not file any major charges against them.

Pakistan's prestigious English cover monthly Herald ran the story days before London The killing regeneration of terrorist camps in the country. It quoted an unidentified top manager of training camp in Mansehra, saying that all large organizations, including the Hizbul mujahideen, al-mujahideen Bardr and the Harkat-ul-mujahideen, was re-started in April and renovating training facilities that were deserted in 2004. The magazine said that atleast 13 major camps in the Mansehra region were revived during the first week of May. These are located in areas of Friend, Dheri, Jallo, Sufaida, Oghi, Khewari, Jabba, Batrasi, Naradoga, Akherilla, Hisari, boil, and Tanglaee Achherian (Frontline, August 12, 2005.48-49). Recently Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh called to Pakistan as "epicenter of terrorism".

Jihadists in Bangladesh

The situation in Bangladesh is largely ignored by a media world constrained by the bite of the south, but largely parallels of Pakistan. The Jamaat, an Islamic party, well represented sa Bangladeshi Parliament and youth organizations are active in international organizations like the International Islamic Federation of Student Organizations and the World Assembly of Muslim Youth. These are not jihadist organization, but they provide a place for communication and recruitment of Muslim students. Also, student groups dominates Jammat approximately 10,000 Deobandi schools in Bangladesh and maintains close ties with radical groups in Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Middle East. Faziui Rahman, The leader of the jihadist movement in Bangladesh, a coalition of Bangaladeshi jihadist groups, signed bin Laden, s declaration of war against America. Denounces the government of Bangladesh scary but it was less than strict control of a jihadist movement enjoys a wide base of popular support (Monte Palmer, 2003.p.96).

Major Radical group

Starting in early-to-mid 1990s the Al Qaeda terrorist network that made significant inroads into the Southeast Asia region. The main task is, the setup of local cells, predominantly headed by Arab members of Al Qaeda who served as regional offices supporting the network's global operation. These cells are generally exploited loose border control region to hold meetings in Southeast Asia to plan attacks against Western targets, host operatives transiting through Southeast Asia, and provides safe haven for other operatives fleeing U.S. intelligence services. Manila cell Al Qaeda, which was founded in the early 1990s by a brother-in-law of Osama bin Laden, was particularly active in the early-mid 1990s. In the late 1990s, The locus of activity Al Qaeda's Southeast Asia appears to have moved to Malaysia, Singapore, and – most recently – Indonesia. In 1999 and 2000, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok is the site for important strategy meetings with some of the September 11 plotters (CRS Report for Congress, 2007).

The Asian financial crisis since 1997 have also put pressure on local governments and spending on crucial areas such as education was restricted. This increased attention to the religious schools. Also, well funded Radical Islamic movement can offer financial support to both adherents and their families (eg in the event of death in combat). funds will not flow from local Islamist organizations but also from Islamist organizations from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.

The free flow of foreign funds were also used for carrying out proseletysatation Activism, and Labor operation and strengthening of the terror cell. Some $ 1,000 in cash was received for the implementation of the September 29 great Male fear of bombing. Similarly, funds were also received from other Islamic countries in various carryout terrorists struck India.

While study working with terrorist groups, they are active in at least four countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Pakistan. Many groups are accused of having of links to Al Qaeda and has some links to other movements in the region. The most important Islamist group Jemaah Islamiah (JI) is founded in the mid-1990s, had greater capacity to organize a large and probably still largely unaware of the network 'sleeper cells', has grand aim of establishing an independent Islamic state encompassing Indonesia, Malaysia and the southern islands of the Philippines. Intelligence officers (notably from Singapore) have investigated the group because it came in wide attention in January 2002. Ji has also been implicated in a number of bombings including those in Manila in December 2000. Singapore is alleged that Ji received some funding from Al Qaeda over three years.

   Laskar Jihad (LJ) Another Islamist group, was established as a paramilitary wing of the Forum Komunikasi Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah (Communications Forum of the followers of Sunnah), which established in Jogjakarta in early 1998. The LJ is built on 30 January 2000 in response to religious violence in Maluku. LJ arranged for the military training given to volunteers in a camp in Bogor, near Jakarta. The LJ sent several thousand fighters in Maluku in the month after April 2000.

Islam Defenders Front, is another radical Indonesian Islamic groups. The FPI was formed in August 1998 and now claims branches in 22 provinces. Based in Jakarta, the FPI will be led by Habib Muhammad Riziek Syihab, a religious teacher who was educated in Saudi Arabia. Like Habib, many of the top leaders FPI with Arab blood. FPI stated goal is the full implementation Islamic Sharia law, although it supports the current constitution Indonesia and avoids calling for an Islamic state.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is disclaimed connection with Al-Qaeda but hundreds of its members reported that trained with Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. MILF split from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) which led to a struggle for autonomy for the Muslim areas of southern Philippines since 1972. (Dr.Frank Frost, 2007, and Policy Analysis, Ann Rann Andrew Chin, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Group).

Why is Southeast Asia?

As was discussed earlier Southeast Asia, in the recent past the land was successfully converted in the laboratory experiment for jihadists. Radical Islamists have been dreaming of carving a new Pan-Islamic state in the region, according to Professor Wang Xinsheng. The terrorists, he said, hopes that some Southeast Asian countries in their projects redraw the map.

Why is Southeast Asia? used by radical Islamist groups for their operation. The level and character of the threat posed by terrorist groups in the Southeast Asia is difficult to estimate precisely. But one point has emerged very clearly that the region has become an important arena for international to Terrorism, notably the Al Qaeda. The International Institute of Strategic Studies has argued that while Al Qaeda has been damaged by coalition operations since September 11 in Afghanistan and elsewhere, these organizations can maintain good 2 / 3 of its leadership core and the large majority of approximately 20,000 trained its activists Afghan camps after 1996 (Dr.Frank Frost, 2007).

It is significant to note that most of the terrorists arrested in connection with various terrorists' attacks, in Europe or other regions, is essentially Asians. For example, the London 2005 serial blasts alleged suicide bombers, identified by the UK police, were Asians, three from Pakistan and one from India. Prof. Xinsheng Wang has identified six reasons for the increasing role Islamists in the region of Southeast Asia:

First, political-religious violence is well established in some Southeast Asian countries, primarily Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, "including armed activities against the government." The violence "has its roots in the Islamic group. There is an Islamist separatist movement active in the 1980s, in southern Thailand, southern Philippines, and Indonesia. Radical Islamists have as their intention to separate from the countries where they belong. "The Jemaah Islamiya is related to Al Qaeda, Wang said, and a number of its leaders have undergone training in Pakistan and Afghanistan. "The Afghan experience was also central to the group of Moro in the Philippines."

Second, the economic crisis of 1997 and Subsequent reductions in social spending made additional support for radical Islamic groups. Cuts in spending on education in the region raised the profile of private schools run by Islamic radicals. "The Islamic groups provide some benefits to families, especially in their religious schools."

Third is determined by geographic factors. "The borders are porous, immigration controls are weak. Malaysia recently require visas for visitors from Muslim countries. It is easy for foreigners to marry a citizen of the Philippines and change the identity.

Fourth is "widespread corruption of government," which permits terrorist groups to buy off local officials.

Fifth is the economic standing and trade links between Southeast Asia and the Middle East. "These are often not monitored by the government, which has facilitated the transfer of materiel in the Southeast Asian group. Criminal activity is widespread in the region and can help a radical group. "

Sixth is the extensive funding of mosques and Madrasas in the region by Saudi Arabia, institutions that promote the Saudis' anti-Western and puritanical Wahabi sect of Islam. "Combined media have increased the reach of satellite TV and the Internet, it makes Southeast Asian Muslims more like their brethren in the Middle East. they come to have the same outlook world affairs "(UCLA International Institute, 2004).

Conclusion

What extremist Islamic Groups Do you want?. An important agenda before it, to build Islamic state in Southeast Asia, to create Muslim states, which include Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Pakistan and Thailand. Also, make Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), Destroy Israel, intimidate Europe, Assault on the American people, and blackmail the U.S. government in isolation, and finally to create a Dar-ul-Islam or the Land of Islam Islamists for a global vision. As was discussed earlier, disfunctioning the political system, growing economic crisis, weak border security and wide free flow of funds from Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries which are made in the Southeast region of a laboratory of Jihad.

The problem, currently, is not Islam, but a wrong interpretation of Islam practiced by a minority of misguided zealots. Pakistan, another ally of the United States, contains 5,000 to 10,000 plus religious schools or Madrasas, up from less than 150 only five years ago, all funded by religious charities, many from Saudi Arabian group intended to expand the reach of the radical version of Islam. It is significant to note that the London suicide bombers serial blast reportedly had visited Pakistan and went "Madrassas" which, it is suspected that they were "brainwashed". As far as Bangladesh is working Madrasas nearly 10,000 today. India is currently 30,000.

Asian Muslims, especially Muslim Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indian, are viewed with some sort of suspicion, not only by fellow citizens but also government. The recent developments in Britain is the best example, where visa and customs policies of immigration is tightened. Also, the government's decision to issue citizen cards, for security, the first government planning to cover the Asians, particularly Indians, is another example in this regard.

For Sep.11, 2001 in the United States has declared "War against Terrorism", at first they attacked Afghanistan and then Iraq and next Iran or Libya could, but the journey has not stopped, it seems. But the present effort, the war against Islamic or fundamentalist jihadists, has proved unsuccessful. The biggest danger at present is not Al Qaeda, say, sing and JI, but "highly politicized form of Islam." The main root cause of terrorism is not poverty or U.S. foreign policy, but a compelling political ideology. Terrorists are not driven by poverty or unemployment, but by radical Islamic ideology (Dr.P.Sakthivel, Tackling Terrorism An Alternative Strategy, articlesbase.com, June, 2008.)

Madarasas altering or modernizing the Islamic education, by introducing western and secular education, is the best solution to the current threat of terrorism, almost all Southeast Asian countries are facing problems at present. Weakening radical version of Islamic ideology through shows the strength of democracy is more durable solution. It is worthwhile to mention here the democratic movement in this region is very weak. For that, the West and other countries will have to work in the building, including the society is to be free from radical Islamic ideology.

References:

1. Monte Palmer and Princess Palmer, In the heart of terror, USA, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, INC.2004.

2. Walter Laquer, No End to War, New York, Continuum, 2003.

3. CSR Report for Congress Terrorism in Southeast Asia, September 11, 2007.

4. Frank Frost, Terrorism at the South East Asia, (c) Commonwealth of Australia.

5. UCLA International Institute, ASEAN and Terrorism in the Southeast Asia, 20/5/2004.

About the Author

Reader in Political Science
Annamalai University
Annamalai Nagar – 608 002
Tamil Nadu
India