Ministry of Public Security: The group that attacked the commune headquarters in Dak Lak was a terrorist activity

According to the Ministry of Public Security's Electronic Information Portal, on June 20, 2023, at the Summit of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Forces of Countries organized by the United Nations in New York (USA), on behalf of the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security, Major General Pham Ngoc Viet - Director of the Department of Internal Security gave an important speech.

Major General Pham Ngoc Viet's speech clearly stated four terrorist threats from abroad that harm Vietnam's national security; at the same time, he affirmed that the activities of the group that attacked the government headquarters and people in Dak Lak province (Vietnam) on June 11, 2023 were organized terrorist activities.

In his speech, the Director of the Department of Internal Security of the Ministry of Public Security affirmed that Vietnam resolutely condemns and opposes terrorism in all forms and supports anti-terrorism measures of countries and international organizations in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law.

In Vietnam, there has been no terrorist attack by individuals or international terrorist organizations, and their branches have not been discovered to operate. However, there have been identified terrorist risks from outside that harm Vietnam's national security, such as:

The first, in Vietnam there are targets of terrorist interest, such as foreign diplomatic headquarters.

Monday, the risk of IS militants moving to Southeast Asia from the Middle East.

Tuesday, terrorist groups, and extremists are taking full advantage of the development of technology and social networks to spread extremism around the world. Vietnam is among the countries with a large number of Internet users, so it is highly likely to be affected.

Wednesday, Vietnamese exile reactionary organizations, extremist elements take advantage of ethnic and religious issues residing in some countries to establish bases, tentacles, organize training for domestic subjects and send people to infiltrate Vietnam to direct terrorist acts in Vietnam.

According to Major General Pham Ngoc Viet, these organizations take advantage of Southeast Asian countries to set up disguised offices, attract, recruit, and train members; take advantage of the Internet and social networks to propagate, incite, and guide bad elements in the country to carry out terrorist attacks on law enforcement forces and innocent people.

Specifically, on June 11, 2023, a terrorist attack occurred in Dak Lak province, 2 groups of people armed with guns and homemade weapons attacked the government headquarters and people on the way, killing 9 people, injuring 2 people, and taking 3 hostages.

Authorities have arrested 65 suspects, including members of a US-based organization who were ordered to infiltrate Vietnam and stage the attack.

Major General Pham Ngoc Viet said that this was an organized terrorist activity, equipped with weapons; the behavior was very reckless, barbaric, and inhumane.

Vietnam strongly condemns the individuals and organizations that have condoned, supported, directed, as well as the subjects who directly caused this incident; at the same time, calls on relevant countries and international organizations to support and closely cooperate with Vietnam in investigating the incident as well as fighting against similar activities.

“The fight against terrorism requires a joint effort from the international community. Only through solidarity, cooperation and shared responsibility can we effectively address this global threat, promoting peace and security for each country and the world,” said Major General Pham Ngoc Viet.