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Afghanistan: Taliban’s return ‘boosts morale’ of militant groups in Southeast Asia
- Indonesia, Malaysia and southern Philippines are seen as being most affected by the Taliban’s victory, according to an analyst
- A security source said seven Indonesian Isis fighters were recently among 5,000 prisoners freed by the Taliban from a former US airbase in Afghanistan
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The return of Taliban rule in Afghanistan has boosted the morale of militant groups in Southeast Asia, inspiring some to make plans to go to the country and undertake military and other training there, according to analysts and a former militant.
The Taliban’s success has been widely celebrated by Islamist and extremist groups, which are also expected to have been reinvigorated in their fight to replace secular governments in the region with an Islamic state.
“Indonesia, Malaysia and the southern Philippines will be most impacted by the Taliban’s victory as the three countries have real or perceived local grievances [involving such groups],” said Noor Huda Ismail, visiting fellow at the S. Rajaratnam Institute of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore.
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“It will inspire them, strengthen their spirit, and boost their morale to constantly fight for their political goal of an Islamic state,” he said, adding that Islamists would try to learn from the Taliban “how to win people’s hearts and support”.
Meanwhile, a senior Indonesian security source told T his Week In Asia that seven Indonesians who had joined Islamic State (Isis) in Afghanistan were among the 5,000 prisoners freed by the Taliban from a former US airbase last Sunday.
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