Mobilizations and Movements of Foreign Fighters from Southeast Asia to and Iraq

Tia M. Kibtiah Bina Nusantara University,

Abstract

This article examines foreign fighter movements, in particular, those who joined the Islamic State and al-Nusra front from Southeast Asia to Syria and Iraq. It will analyze the dynamics of the movements in Southeast Asia and Syria and Iraq, provide a discussion of the potential threats of the returnees and how state and civil society respond to the threats of the groups. It is based on interviews with Afghan veterans in Indonesia and analyses of primary and secondary sources of the Syrian and Iraq conflicts. It argues that it be urgent to strengthen unity and partnership between the state and civil society in coping the rise of the terrorist movements and to prevent violent attacks after the returns of Southeast Asian fighters from Syria and Iraq.

Keywords: Foreign Fighters, Islamic State, Jabhat al Nusra, Southeast Asia, Syria and Iraq

Introduction This article will examine transnational terrorist movements, in The term ‘foreign fighters’ in this particular, the Islamic State (IS) and article refers to fighters who involved Jabhat al Nusra (JN), which impact to the insurgencies outside their countries. It rise of terrorism recruitment, covers not only the people who join in transnational movements, and national- combat but also those who migrate and international threats. Their involvement in travel to the conflict zone to participate in the Syrian conflict combines violent fighting or training with an insurgent experience, international terrorism group or provide some supports (Zammit networks, and direct threats from 2015). In 1980s-1990s, people traveled returnees to their home countries. The from Southeast Asia and other countries number of foreign fighters in Syria and to join Mujahidin in Afghanistan to fight Iraq is varied from around 20,000 to against the Soviet Union. They are 70,000 fighters from about 100 considered as foreign fighters. It includes nationalities, including 4000 fighters from the people travel from all over the world Western Europe (Lister 2015). The fighters to Syria and Iraq to fight against Bashar from Southeast Asia, especially from al-Asad’s regime in the last decade. Indonesia, , , Thailand and the Philippines are main concerns on this article, how the fighters moved to

Journal of ASEAN Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2016), pp. 79-86 ©2016 by CBDS Bina Nusantara University and Indonesian Association for International Relations ISSN 2338-1361 print / ISSN 2338-1353 electronic

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Syria and Iraq and how state and civil the capacity of individuals and groups society in Southeast Asia anticipate the after their involvements of fighting in returnees of the fighters. Katibah Syria and Iraq. The returnees of Syria and Nusantara, the group, founded by fighters Iraq potentially threatens security and from Southeast Asia in Syria and Iraq stability in Southeast Asia and united fighters from Indonesia, Malaysia, international regions where foreign Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines fighters back to their home countries. with Indonesians took leadership positions. Overall Southeast Asian Foreign Fighters fighters are around a thousand and Up to a thousand of Southeast Indonesia dominated the number and Asian jihadists are among foreign fighters leadership. Indonesia contributes about from all over the world. It is surprisingly 500 to 700 fighters from both the Islamic the percentage of foreign fighters from the State and Jabhat al-Nusra, which created West is much higher than the participants frictions among Jihadists in Indonesia and of fighters in the history of conflict and Southeast Asia. Many of them previously war involving jihadists such as Afghan became a strong part of Jama’ah Islamiyah war. Compared to Afghan fighters, IS leadership and members, however after (used to be ISIS) is ‚much better the foundation of IS by Southeast Asian organized in that it has a military jihadists the frictions begin. approach in spreading its influence with Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, who used to an over-arching set of strategies and a be chairman of Jama’ah Islamiyah after strong centralized leadership. Al-Qaida the death of Abdullah Sungkar, now takes has more of the attack-and-run style, and a crucial position in the IS of Indonesia the groups affiliated with it seem to be along with Aman Abdurrahman. operating relatively independent‛ Advisory board leadership of Ba’asyir and (Nadaraj 2014). The majority of recruits to Aman is very influential to the growth of the Islamic State going to Syria intended IS in Indonesia from about 500 in 2014 to of ‚acting there rather than training to 1,500 in 2015. Bahrumsyah and M. Fachry become domestic terrorists‛ and ‚remains declared IS in Indonesia in July 2014. more personal than political‛ (The Soufan Although the early meetings are Group 2015: 7). However, the latest two discussing the support of Islamic State of decades domestic attack plots were Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) held in Tangerang organized by individual and groups in February 2014. closely related to foreign fighters experience. Bali bombings in 2002 This article is based on the involved Afghan veterans affiliated to interviews with former foreign fighters Jama’ah Islamiyah. Afghan returnees involved in the Afghan war in the 1980s. endangered their home countries Among them joined violent attacks in Bali threatening terror attacks and violent and Jakarta. Furthermore, it analyses attack plans in the US, France, Australia, primary and secondary sources from Southeast Asia, Europe, North Africa and foreign fighter group websites, the Middle East. Syrian and Iraq conflicts government and research center policy returnees will endanger and threaten papers. It argues that mobilization and more to their home countries. movements of foreign fighters have attracted more recruits and strengthened Journal of ASEAN Studies 81

David Malet defined foreign is underestimated by analysts and fighters as ‚non-citizens of conflict states intelligent. Indonesian intelligent who join insurgencies during civil authority argued that Indonesian fighters conflicts,‛ playing critical roles in conflicts join the Islamic State and al-Nusra Front since ancient periods (Lister 2015). The are about 200-300. They do not consider nearest equivalent was fighting in the number of Indonesian fighters from Afghanistan against the Soviet Union, the Middle East, Pakistan and North which attracted about 20,000 foreign Africa where they are studying. Wildan fighters over a twelve years from 1980 to Mukhollad (19), an Indonesian student at 1992. Charles Lister (2015) estimated Al-Azhar University and Al Islam school foreign fighters involved in Syria and Iraq graduate, joined IS in 2012 and became a was growing dramatically from 700-1,400 suicide bomber for IS in Iraq in early 2014 in mid-2012 to over 22,000 in early 2015. (Nuraniyah 2015). Mukhollad wanted to show himself that he is among the best It is predicted that the number of young fighters continued the agenda of foreign fighters: Tunisia (3,000), Saudi Bali trio and senior fighters in the early Arabia (2,500), Morocco (2,000), Jordan period of the Al Islam school of East Java. (1,500), France (1,550), Russia (1,500), He is among three martyrs in Syria and Turkey (1,300), UK (700) – unnamed Iraq graduated from the school. IPAC intelligence officials said 1,600, Germany (2014) also stated other martyr Zainul (700), Indonesia (700), Libya (600), Bosnia Arifin recruited by the school graduate for (340), China (300), US (200), Malaysia IS bombing attack operation in Poso (100), the Philippines (100) and Singapore targeting Police. (2) (Lister 2015: 1). The number of fighters

Table 1. Foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq

Sources :Lister 2015; The Soufan Group 2015

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Lessons from Southeast Asia argued that the Islamic State recruitments to any people without enough training It is interesting to learn how preparations impact lower capacity and Southeast Asian fighter organization immature Jihad operations. It will founded and grew in Syria and Iraq, poses endanger their plan and counter- direct threats to government and the productive to the mission of Jihad.2 Kohar people in the region, and how state and joined Afghan academy training for three civil society responded to the rise of years and now keep himself into radical jihadists and foreign fighters from community education in Jakarta. Southeast Asian regions. Their number, growth, and capacity are more efficient Southeast Asian IS fighters from and deadly that fighters of the Afghan war Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore in the 1980s and 1990s. and the Philippines agreed to coordinate under the group of the Katibah Nusantara Southeast Asian fighters are Lid Daulah Islamiyah or the Malay divided at least into two factions: Daesh Archipelago Unit for the Islamic State in (the Islamic State) and al-Nusra front (JN). which fighters share a common culture The tensions between ISIS and al-Nusra in and language of Bahasa Indonesia and late 2013 have forced Southeast Asian Malay, and unite to recruit, train and jihadists to choose their sides. In Indonesia, mobilize fighters from Southeast Asia to Aman Abdurrahman sided with ISIS. The Syria and Iraq. The Katibah Nusantara website almustaqbal.net, edited by M. was headquartered in Al-Shadadi, in the Fachry, also supported ISIS. On the other Syrian province of Hasaka. It is headed by hand, al-Nusra front had its supporters, an Amir identified as Abu Ibrahim al- commonly senior JI leaders and associates Indunesiy. Leaders of the Katibah of al-Qaidah. Arrahmah.com, among the Nusantara are mostly Indonesians supporters, published statements from although some Malaysians appeared ISIS critics like al-Maqdisi and Aiman among the leadership. It has some Zawahiri. It published Abu Khalid as-Suri, departments: ‚combat fighters, snipers, Zawahiri’s associate, claimed ISIS of heavy weapons, tactics and strategy, and undermining Jihad movement (IPAC military management‛ (Singh 2015: 2). It 2014). Ali Imron and other Afghan has also volunteer positions for cyber veterans criticized that the Islamic State do propaganda and communications not conduct the ethics of Jihad like how supported by IS members in Syria, the Prophet and his companions required Malaysia and Indonesia. rules and procedures of war. Imron considered the way of IS showing Returnees: Threats and Challenge provocative video and pictures of slaughtering and other executions to ASEAN and international leaders public space is against the essence of Jihad warned the threats of returnees of Syrian to disseminate good conduct and Islamic and Iraq conflicts to stability and security. ethics for a better community and the Their ideological and violent experience world.1 Furthermore, Abdul Qohar, Suhail can influence people in the region. The and Masykur, other Afghan veterans returnees will strengthen the capacity of potential violent attacks in Southeast

1 Ali Imron, interviews with author, Polda 2 Abdul Qohar, Suhail and Masykur, metro prison Jakarta, November 9, 2015. interviews with author, Jakarta, June 6, 2015. Journal of ASEAN Studies 83

Asian regions. It is based on the very different from ISIS which experiences of Afghan veterans who disseminates takfiri ideology.‛ This involved in serial attacks and plot plans ideology makes IS members quickly targeting foreigners and government targeting other people and groups for assets in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, attack operations, including attacks on the Philippines, and Thailand. Indonesia is other Muslim fighters. In late 2013, IS the most severe region affected by violent killed leaders and individuals of JN, and attack operations by Afghan veterans. other individuals and groups disagreed to The IS returnees can be ‚mobilized to support Al Baghdady. undertake attacks in Southeast Asia. Unlike JI which had members who were As of February 2015, among 90 returnees from the Afghan war, this time, Australian fighters have ‚appeared in the region would be confronted with a far propaganda videos for Jabhat al-Nusra stronger force regarding numbers, and IS, three are believed to have carried ideology and military training and combat out suicide bombings, and some experience.‛ (Singh 2015: 1). Australians are occupying leadership positions. Some have also boasted of war However, Institute for Policy and crimes, and explicitly threatened Analysis of Conflict have a different Australia‛ (Zammit 2015: 10). The opinion to potential threats of returnees. interactions and engagements experiences IPAC (2014:11) stated that many Southeast among foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq Asian fighters are: and their global networks enabled them to conduct transnational terrorism attacks. "Poorly educated, poorly vetted, poorly Kira's (2014: 364-365) argues that ‚the trained and poorly led. The result is the failure technologies associated with globalization to do much damage. If the call to abandon the local effort and join the global jihad could have enabled terrorist cells and groups to weaken the movement still further, it is also mount coordinated attacks in different true that mujahidin returning to Indonesia countries. Indeed, a hallmark of Islamic from Syria have the potential to provide militant groups is their ability to conduct everything today’s jihadist now lack - multiple attacks in different locations.‛ especially experienced leaders." Cyber maniac among IS supporters in Indonesia had coordinated of robbery and IPAC underestimates the capacity attack operations in Medan and Poso in of foreign fighters, including those from 2014 and 2015 using online chats and Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Although emails (IPAC 2014). WhatsApp, they do not require military training from Blackberry Messenger, and other social anybody joined Daesh/ IS, their fighting media have become favorite tools of and engagement experience with interactions and coordination among the international fighters in Syria and Iraq, Islamic State members in the sharing common interests against Asad’s disseminating news, instruction, and regime and the West coalition countries meeting. They also used fundraising are more than enough to consider the taking advantages of cyber technology. threats of the returnees. Ali Imron argues Coordinating of returnees of Southeast that ISIS more dangerous than Al Qaida. Asia and global IS, JN and other terrorist He said ‚we (Al Qaida) left the New networks after the Syrian and Iraq conflict Order Indonesia and never considered the raised critical attentions among state government as unbeliever (Kafir). It is leaders in Southeast Asia. Lister stated

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that ‚some returnees retain the potential in neighbouring countries from Syria or for reintegration into Western society, Iraq‛ (Hanson 2015: 3). The threats of IS with some requiring rehabilitation and to Southeast Asian countries also became a psychological care. Above all, not every priority concern for Singapore’s Deputy foreign fighter should necessarily be Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. He said treated as a lifelong extremist, but instead that IS threats ‚not only to countries who as a potentially valuable member of his or are part of the US coalition but also to her home society‛ (Lister 2015: 8). Singapore. As with the threat from the Al Qaeda, even if Singapore is not itself a Officials from Southeast Asian target, foreign interest here may be countries responded to the rise and threat targeted‛ (Hanson 2015: 3). of Southeast Asian fighters in Syria and Iraq. Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore Civil society organizations are government authority concerned to the strategic groups protecting the community threats. They agreed to the importance of from radicalization and preventing unity and comprehensive partnership recruitments of IS. In Indonesia, Nahdlatul between the state and civil society in Ulama and Muhammadiyah, the largest coping with the Syrian and Iraq conflict Muslim organizations are the backbone returnees. for Indonesian Muslims preserving religious moderation and committed to Singapore’s defense minister Ng supporting nationalism and nation-state Eng Hen argued that ‚the Islamic State building. They are strategic partners for poses a ‘clear and present danger’ to National Counter-Terrorism Agency Southeast Asia, with trained foreign (BNPT) to counter radicalism and fighters returning from Syria and Iraq terrorism. potentially linking up and formalizing ties with local groups to execute attacks‛ Conclusion (Parameswaran 2015). Rebellious and violent jihadist groups such as Jama’ah To conclude that mobilizations and Ansharut Tauhid commanded by Abu movements of foreign fighters from Bakar Ba’asyir and Group of Southeast Asia to Syria and Iraq conflicts Southern Philippines are among groups raised the capacity of violent Jihadis already pledged allegiance to the Islamic groups in the region and internationalized State since 2014. Former activists of them with global jihad networks in Syria Jama’ah Islamiyah have declared to and Iraq were up to 100 different support the caliphate of Abu Bakar Al- nationalities of around 70,000 foreign Baghdady. To the Islamic State, Ng said fighters involved in different groups. that ‚they have sympathizers, they have Southeast Asian IS fighters coordinated foreign fighters who are trained, who have quite effectively after the foundation of the motivation, the means and who have a Katibah Nusantara which accommodates common vision‛ (Parameswaran, 2015). In fighters from Southeast Asia. They addition, Malaysian Defense Force Chief, successfully conducted operations in 2014 General Tan Sri Zulkifli Mohd Zin was attacking Kurds population. The ‚worried that when they (militants) return foundation of the group was intended to to Malaysia, they will do something that accommodate Indonesian, and Malay can threaten the safety of the country, speaking fighters and protected each other especially after they established a network individuals and families from Bashar al- Journal of ASEAN Studies 85

Assad and Western coalition’s attacks. It includes prevention of cyber terrorism They also successfully launched coordinated by global terrorist networks. propaganda and recruited people from Southeast Asian countries. They have About Author taken a strategic position to represent A Lecturer of Department of Caliphate leadership in Southeast Asia International Relations, BINUS University under Abu Bakar Al-Baghdady. Jakarta. She can be contacted at Syrian and Iraq conflict returnees [email protected] threaten stability and security in their Reference home countries. They strengthen the capacity of local groups and need to Dershowitz, Alan M. (2002). Why anticipate of potential threats to attack Terrorism Works Understanding the operations targeting government and Threat Responding to the Challenge. foreigners as revenge for the defeat and New Haven and London: Yale the death of leaders and community of the University Press. Islamic State in Syria and Iraq conflicts and other regions. November 13, 2015, Hanson, Ferguson. (2015). Countering ISIS Paris attacks were a continuation of battle in Southeast Asia: The Case for an as revenge against Charlie Hebdo and ICT offensive. Perth USAsia Centre France’s coalition against the Islamic State Strategic Insight Series. in Syria and Iraq (The Economist, Henin, Nicholas. (2015). Jihad Academy the November 21, 2015). The IS leaders Rise of Islamic State. Translated continued to assure the importance of from French by Martin Makinson. attacks against governments and people London: Bloomsbury. who are against the interests of IS all over the world. Imron, Ali. (2007). Ali Imron Sang Pengebom (Ali Imron the Bomber). State and civil society in Southeast Jakarta: Republika. Asia have to strengthen their partnership and cooperation to fight against terrorism IPAC. (2014). Indonesians and the Syrian and prevent violent attacks by IS, JN and Conflict. IPAC Report No. 6, other individuals and groups January 30. sympathizing them. Local insurgent and violent radical groups in Southeast Asia Kiras, James D. (2014). Terrorism and such as Santoso’s Mujahidin of Eastern Globalization. In John Baylis, Steve Mujahidin and Abu Sayyaf Group have Smith & Patricia Owens (eds.). The directly threatened the government of Globalization of World Politics. Indonesia and the Philippines respectively Oxford, UK: Oxford University of their support to the interests of IS. Press, pp.357-371. Indonesian counter-terrorism agency including Detachment 88 has raised the Lister, Charles. (2015). Returning Foreign importance of open coordination among Fighters: Criminalization or government in Southeast Asia and Reintegration? Washington: Australia to detect the flows of funds and Brookings Institution. people from the regions to Syria and Iraq.

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