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Malaysia warned Islamic State gains foothold in maritime piracy
SECURITY intelligence in Malaysia has warned of an intricate network that serves to provide passage to global terror groups, such as the Islamic State (IS), is seeking to strengthen its foothold in this region.
IS, which has since last year established a partnership with the southern Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), has set its eyes on the volatile area as its base for the southeast Asian region, reported New Straits Times.
Counter-terrorism specialist Andrin Raj said the spate of kidnaps-for-ransom carried out by the ASG, which saw several vessels ambushed and many crewmen kidnapped in recent days, also suggested that ASG's allegiance with the IS has brought with it support from those backing the group led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
They are also holding in their stronghold in Jolo Island, a Canadian, Norwegian and Filipino whom they had abducted in September. Intelligence suggests that there are more than 20 foreigners in ASG's "custody" to date.
Heavily armed and equipped with maritime assets, the ASG terrorists would snatch their targets from Sabah-Philippine waters. Of late, their targets had been slow-moving vessels, particularly tugboats towing barges.
In sounding the warning, security experts have asked regional authorities to look closely into the backroom operations of their country's shipping industry. "There is a serious threat of an 'insider' colluding with the operatives of ASG.
IS, which has since last year established a partnership with the southern Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), has set its eyes on the volatile area as its base for the southeast Asian region, reported New Straits Times.
Counter-terrorism specialist Andrin Raj said the spate of kidnaps-for-ransom carried out by the ASG, which saw several vessels ambushed and many crewmen kidnapped in recent days, also suggested that ASG's allegiance with the IS has brought with it support from those backing the group led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
They are also holding in their stronghold in Jolo Island, a Canadian, Norwegian and Filipino whom they had abducted in September. Intelligence suggests that there are more than 20 foreigners in ASG's "custody" to date.
Heavily armed and equipped with maritime assets, the ASG terrorists would snatch their targets from Sabah-Philippine waters. Of late, their targets had been slow-moving vessels, particularly tugboats towing barges.
In sounding the warning, security experts have asked regional authorities to look closely into the backroom operations of their country's shipping industry. "There is a serious threat of an 'insider' colluding with the operatives of ASG.
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