Islamic State likely to target Southeast Asia in coming months, analysts say
Terrorist group could carry out Paris-style attack in tourist hotspot or at a key infrastructure point such as an airport, they warn
Indicators show terrorists are likely to strike Southeast Asia’s tourist attractions this summer, security experts have warned.
Recent developments concerning Islamic State (IS) across Asia suggest the group have recruited locally and were likely to carry out a major strike, according to Alex Bomberg, group chief of Intelligent Protection International, part of Intelligent (UK Holdings).
IS had developed localised organisations and operations in Southeast Asia and was active in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh. In addition, fighters recruited from Asia to fight in Syria and Iraq were starting to return home, as the extremists’ war in the Middle East was facing defeat.
I think they are ready to do something in Asia. I think it’s going to happen very soon
“I think they are ready to do something in Asia. I think it’s going to happen very soon,” Bomberg said.
Last week the United States warned of possible summer terrorist attacks in Europe, saying targets could include the European soccer championship in France or the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day events, based on an accumulation of information.
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Raffaello Pantucci, a researcher at the Royal United Services Institute in London, said he wouldn’t be surprised “if we saw an attack somewhere in Southeast Asia that is seen as being inspired, linked or maybe even directed by IS”.
Bomberg said an attack would likely target tourist hotspots and be paired with a strike on infrastructure such as a subway or airport.