Smoke from a battle between Philippine soldiers and IS-linked militant groups in Marawi city (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – TheIslamic State (IS)–linked militant group in Marawi city of the Philippines maybe preparing for attacks on Singapore and Asia, said a report released by theIndonesia-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) on July 21.
The report said the group, run by Bahrumsyah, anIndonesian fighter in Syria, and Malaysian former university lecturer MahmudAhmad, had recruited fighters and carried out the conspiracy of IS to seizeMarawi.
The report said the Marawi operations receiveddirect funding from IS, indicating that the network is commanded not only fromSyria, the Philippines and Indonesia but also beyond those countries.
The report said the group, run by Bahrumsyah, anIndonesian fighter in Syria, and Malaysian former university lecturer MahmudAhmad, had recruited fighters and carried out the conspiracy of IS to seizeMarawi.
The report said the Marawi operations receiveddirect funding from IS, indicating that the network is commanded not only fromSyria, the Philippines and Indonesia but also beyond those countries.
A posting on Telegram social media app urged theMarawi-based militant group to attack targets in Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar,the Republic of Korea, Japan and China. The order was made by Bahrumsyah, whois head of an IS combat unit in Syria consisting mostly of fighters fromSoutheast Asia, the reported added.
According to the report, Mahmud received atleast 55,000 USD sent by Bahrumsyah from the Middle East to Indonesia and laterwired to the Philippines via Western Union financial service.
According to IPAC, the tension in Marawi willlead to closer cooperation between extremists in Southeast Asia, and the newleadership for pro-IS cells in Indonesia and Malaysia will include gunmenreturning from Marawi. -VNA
VNA
