Militants’ return a problem

From the New Straits Times (Nov 8): Militants’ return a problem

KUALA LUMPUR: The return of militant fighters to their home countries should be monitored closely by security agencies as it poses a serious threat to the sovereignty of those nations.

A journal published by Damien D. Cheong, entitled Returning ISIS Fighters: What should be done with them?, stated that the return of these jihadists also poses a problem, similar to them joining the fight in the first place.

Admitting that the options left open to governments were limited, Cheong said prohibiting the return of these terrorists was the most practical way to minimise the danger posed by these groups of men with battlefield experience in guerrilla and urban warfare, and hit-and-run tactics. This option also reduces the possibility of them recruiting more volunteers locally.

“Among the advantages of pursuing a policy that prohibits the return of these jihadists include punishing them and holding them accountable for breaking the law. This strategy also reduces the risk of an attack in the home country.

“It is also cost-effective, in terms of the associated manpower, and the financial and logistical needs put on these countries. It frees up the penal system and there’s no cost incurred in deploying assets to monitor their movements,” he said, adding that Australia and Canada have reportedly cancelled the passports of several IS militants.

There are also legal issues that need to be considered, as prohibiting the return of these individuals might contravene international laws.

“As Akil N. Awan from the University of London  pointed out: ‘Unless the accused happened to have dual nationality, it would be illegal to render a person stateless under existing United Nations conventions.’”

Cheong, on the flip-side, said preventing these militants from returning could compromise the intelligence-gathering efforts and leave a “black hole” in the command and control structure, the planning and the operational side of the terror group.

“Intelligence-gathering efforts could be compromised as the returnees could provide useful intelligence on IS and its operations.” he said.

Another approach that could be adopted by relevant agencies is to include interception and subsequent incarceration. 

Fighters returning to their home soil should be intercepted and treated as regular offenders while being prosecuted under the state’s criminal justice system.

“Those who are convicted will be imprisoned and subjected to regular rehabilitative efforts.  Detainees can also help in intelligence-gathering efforts and the deradicalisation or disengagement of other operatives from violent initiatives.” he said.

Counterterrorism expert Andrin Raj said the return of these individuals pose a national security threat to Malaysia as there wasis the possibility of them becoming “lone wolf suicide bombers”.

These singletons He said they would be tougher to keep tabs on since profiling them tooktakes time and is usually a drawn-out process, even though the authorities hadhave some information on them.

“The threat is real as they are radicalised and given the highest honor to commit suicide bombings.”

Raj, who is also the southeast Asian regional director at the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals, Centre for Security Studies, said the main reason for the return of these jihadists wasis to recruit more members using al Qaeda’s Salafi teachings.

Apart from the threats posed by militants returning from war zones, Raj alsoHe cautioned the government to keep an eye on the members of terror groups who were also previously Internal Security Act detainees.

“The Darul Islam Sabah is being supported by the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Knights of The Right Keepers, originally a southern Philippine Mindanao University Alumni group, which set up base in Sabah to protect the well-being of Philippine Muslim workers there.”

“This group has been linked to Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) since the early 90s. JI has pledged allegiance to IS and the Abu Sayyaf. It is no surprise that Darul Islam Sabah has also pledged it allegiance to IS.” he said.

http://www.nst.com.my/node/50748