MHA ‘Monitoring Activities’ of Singaporean in IS Video

TODAY

25 September 2017

A Singaporean fighter known as “Abu Uqayl” has appeared in an Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) propaganda video, possibly the first from the Republic to feature in the terrorist group’s recruitment material.

Dr Rohan Gunaratna, the head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the latest news should “come as a warning to the region of IS’ future intentions”.

The professor of security studies added, however, that it should “strengthen the resolve of all citizens and residents of Singapore to work together to secure Singapore”, instead of causing alarm.

With the IS’ base in the Middle East weakening, “it’s expanding in regions with big Muslim populations”, Dr Gunaratna told TODAY.

“(It) plans to deepen its ideological and operational influence in South-east Asia,” he added, noting that Shahdan is believed to be the first Singaporean to be featured in IS propaganda material.

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