Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses Volume 9, Issue 4 | April 2017
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RAJARATNAM SCHOOL OF Counter Terrorist INTERNATIONAL RSiS STUDIES N a nya ng Tech n a log ica I Un i vers it y, Si ngap are Trends and Analyses www.rsis.edu.sg ISSN 2382-6444 | Volume 10, Issue 10 | October 2018 A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM RESEARCH (CTR) Mastermind of Terror : The Life and Death of Bahrun Naim Rohan Gunaratna Interoperability: Enhancing Indo-Pacific Counter-Terrorism Cooperation Patrick Blannin Refuting Islamic State (IS) Jihad Propaganda with the Story of Uwais Al-Qarni Muhammad Haniff Hassan The Need for Rehabilitation of Terrorists in Iran Zohreh Vakilpour and Behnam Rastegari Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses Volume 9, Issue 4 | April 2017 1 Building a Global Network for Security Editorial Note Varied Dynamics of Counter- Terrorism and Countering Violent Extremism The October issue observes different dynamics Muhammad Haniff Hassan delves into the of responses to terrorism, in terms of observing counter-ideology domain and attempts to refute case studies, deconstructing methods and IS’ claims on jihad as a personal obligation improving mechanisms to deal with the where the consent of parents is not necessary. evolving threat. The articles focus on key The author analyses the IS’ argument and aspects of counter-terrorism – through counters it with the historical story of Uwais Al- Wtransnational cooperation and specifically Qarni, who did not participate in jihad or interoperability, countering violent extremism – migrate to Medina because he was taking care through counter-ideology and rehabilitation. of his sick mother. The author contends that Overall, while there is no ‘one size fits all’ use of historical Islamic examples can assist in approach to fight terrorism, there is a need to countering IS’ extremist arguments that are holistically incorporate diverse approaches that intended to reduce barriers to engaging in both counter terrorism and counter violent violence. This story can then also be useful in extremism in order to witness tangible and countering the extremist thoughts of groups measurable gains. such as Al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). In the lead article, Rohan Lastly, Zohreh Vakilpour and Behnam Gunaratna discusses the circumstances Rastegari focus on the need for a surrounding the death of Bahrun Naim, the rehabilitation programme in Iran for terrorists, effects on the threat landscape in Indonesia specifically with the rise of the Islamist and lessons for effective counter-terrorism. extremist threat since 2017. The authors state Bahrun Naim’s links to the Islamic State (IS) that while Iran has a rehabilitation programme and ability to radicalise and recruit supporters for non-terrorist offenders, it remains limited in in Southeast Asia until his death, while terms of legislation on its methods, scope and operating from Syria, highlights the success of implementation. This requires improving the social media propaganda and outreach. The existing rehabilitation programme while using article also focuses on his recruitment tactics the relatively successful rehabilitation and network base that enabled him to plan programmes for terrorists in countries such as multiple terrorist attacks, highlighting the need Singapore and Sri Lanka as models for Iran. for long-term collaboration, cooperation and information sharing between security agencies within and beyond the Southeast Asian region. Next, Patrick Blannin discusses cooperation within the Indo-Pacific region as a key aspect of counter-terrorism efforts. The author puts forward the concept of interoperability, in which two or more states act in a coordinated manner to address a common problem. This will facilitate the translation of policy-making rhetoric into operational responses to security threats. It is argued that improved interoperability will enhance regional counter- terrorism cooperation at the strategic and tactical levels. Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses Volume 9, Issue 4 | April 2017 2 ADVISORY BOARD Dr. Rohan Gunaratna Dr. Kumar Ramakrishna Professor of Security Studies Associate Professor Head of International Centre for Political Head of Policy Studies & Coordinator of Violence and Terrorism Research National Security Studies Programme Dr. Jolene Jerard Dr. Fernando Reinares Research Fellow Director, Program on Global Terrorism, Deputy Head of Elcano Royal Institute Professor of Security International Centre for Political Studies, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Violence and Terrorism Research Madrid, Spain W Dr. Stephen Sloan Professor Emeritus, Dr. John Harrison The University of Oklahoma Associate Editor Lawrence J. Chastang, Journal of Transportation Security Distinguished Professor of Terrorism Stud- ies, The University of Central Florida EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Sara Mahmood Associate Editor Abdul Basit Editor Vijayalakshmi Menon Copy Editors Jennifer Dhanaraj Sylvene See Design and Layout Okkie Tanupradja The views expressed in the articles are those of the authors and not of ICPVTR, RSIS, NTU or the organisations to which the authors are affiliated. Articles may not be reproduced without prior permission. Please contact the editors for more information at [email protected]. The editorial team also welcomes any feedback or comments. Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses Volume 9, Issue 4 | April 2017 3 Mastermind of Terror: The Life and Death of Bahrun Naim Mastermind of Terror: The Life and Death of Bahrun Naim Rohan Gunaratna In June 2018, Bahrun Naim, a key Southeast various targets, including political and Asian terrorist was killed in a counter terrorist security leaders. Reports and online postings operation in Syria. He was one of the most have revealed that General Tito Karnavian notorious directing figures of terrorist attacks from Indonesia3 and Dato Ayob Khan Bin in Southeast Asia. His activities and reach Mydin Pitchay from Malaysia4, who oversaw underline the need for greater cooperation counter terrorist operations, were targets of and collaboration among governments in these Southeast Asian terrorists. counter-terrorism efforts. All four terrorist-masterminds have been Introduction killed – two in suicide bombings and two in decapitation attacks. On 5 November 2016, On 8 June 2018, Muhammad Bahrun Naim Abu Jandal was killed in a suicide mission in Anggih Tamtomo alias Abu Rayyan was Mosul.5 On 29 April 2017, Muhammad killed in a US airstrike as he was riding a Wanndy Mohammad Jedi alias Abu Hamzah motorcycle in Ash Shafa, Syria.1 Bahrun al Fateh was killed in Raqqa, Syria.6 On 19 Naim had been the mastermind of several April 2018, Bahrumsyah Mennor Usman was terrorist attacks in Malaysia and Indonesia. killed at an IS meeting in a US air strike in He had joined the Islamic State (IS) and was Hajin, Syria.7 While Abu Jandal and using the cyber domain to radicalise and Bahrumsyah did not die in targeted killings, recruit Southeast Asians to join the group. Wanndy and Bahrun Naim’s deaths After tracking Bahrun Naim for close to two represented successful counter terrorist years, a US counter terrorism operation killed operations. This article focuses on Bahrun the Indonesian high-value target. Naim, his links with the cyber domain and involvement in various terrorist plots and After the rise of IS from June 2014 onwards, attacks. many Southeast Asian terrorist recruits travelled to Iraq and Syria to join the group. A significant number of failed terrorist plots and successful terrorist attacks in the region were 3 Facebook. ‘Bahrun Naim’. Accessed April 4, 2018. planned by Southeast Asian terrorists in the 4 “Malaysia’s anti-terror chief targeted”, The Star two countries.2 They included three Online. June 24, 2017, https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/06/24/ Indonesians - Bahrun Naim, Bahrumsyah malaysias-antiterror-chief-targeted-indonesian- and Abu Jandal - and one Malaysian, militants-calling-on-comrades-in-the-country-to- Muhammad Wanndy. These terrorists elimi/. planned to direct and inspire attacks against 5 Haeril Halim, “IS Fighter’s Death May Throw Followers into Frustration,” The Jakarta Post, November 14, 2016, 1 Amy Chew, “Indonesian Islamic State Leader in http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/14/is- Syria Killed in Drone Strike,” Channel NewsAsia, fighter-s-death-may-throw-followers-frustration.html. July 4, 2018, 6 The Star, “Top Malaysian ISIS Terrorist https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/indone Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi is Dead,” The sian-islamic-state-leader-in-syria-killed-in-drone- Straits Times, May 8, 2017, strike-10499142. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/top- 2 Amy Chew, “Indonesian Islamic State Leader malaysian-isis-terrorist-muhammad-wanndy- Bahrun Naim Recruited Malaysians to Launch Terror mohamed-jedi-is-dead-police-chief. Attacks in Country,” Channel NewsAsia,July 13, 7 Haeril Halim, Tama Salim and Nurul Fitri 2018, Ramadhani, “Top Indonesian Fighter with IS Killed in https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/indone Syria,” The Jakarta Post, March 16, 2017, sian-islamic-state-leader-bahrum-naim-recruited- http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/03/16/top- malaysians-10528876. indonesian-fighter-with-is-killed-in-syria.html. Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses Volume 10, Issue 10 | October 2018 1 Mastermind of Terror: The Life and Death of Bahrun Naim Bahrun Naim’s Background Bahrun Naim created five categories of targets that he referred to as the ‘Ring Bahrun Naim was born in Pekalongan, System of Muslims’ Enemies’. These Central Java on 6 September 1983 and was included