Three Southeast Asian nations to be IS’s next targets

Three Southeast Asian countries – Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia are among the next target of attacks by the self-claimed Islamic State (IS), according to local newspapers.

Three Southeast Asian countries – Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia are among the next target of attacks by the self-claimed Islamic State (IS), according to local newspapers.

 Malaysia’s Federal Police Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division (SB-CTD) chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay (Source: nst.com.my)

The Malaysia-based New Strait Times on April 18 said the 14 th issue of the IS’s propaganda magazine Dabiq carried an ever-expanding target list of countries labelled as “Tawaghit” (those who worship other than Allah).

Besides the three Southeast Asian countries, the list includes Afghanistan, Iraq, Algeria, Somalia, Yemen, Tunisia, Libya, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Egypt.

Malaysia’s Federal Police Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division (SB-CTD) chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the information shows the potentially increasing terrorism threats against Malaysia.

IS suspects arrested in Malaysia’s anti-terrorism operations have also revealed the same thing, Ayob noted, adding that the mention of Malaysia in Dabiq, the second time following its 13 th issue in January, might have significant impact on activities by IS symphathisers in the country.-