Is Southeast Asia unprepared to respond to ISIS?

Southeast Asia faces a growing risk of extremist violence linked to ISIS, but law enforcement agencies there lack the preparedness to respond.

Abu Sayyaf militants in the Philippines pose for a photo with the Islamic State flag. Photo: Strait Times.

"The Islamic State (IS) is increasing coordination with extremist groups in Southeast Asia," AFP reported on October 25, citing a report from the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The danger lies in the volatile southern Philippines, where numerous extremist Islamic groups have pledged allegiance to IS. These groups have links to parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. IS has also chosen a militant in the Philippines as its "amir," or regional leader for Southeast Asia.

"Further deadly violence involving ISIS-backed groups is only a matter of time. The likelihood of cross-border extremist activity is also increasing," the report states. However, "most law enforcement agencies in the region remain nationally oriented, lacking expertise in extremist groups operating beyond their borders."

IPAC warns that the rapidly shrinking area controlled by IS in Iraq and Syria could increase the risk of retaliatory attacks in Southeast Asia. The region suffered its first attack, for which IS claimed responsibility, in January. Attackers then carried out a series of explosions in Jakarta, Indonesia, killing at least seven people.

According to VNE