FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Countries concerned must join hands to prevent terrorism spreading

Countries concerned must join hands to prevent terrorism spreading

The influence of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militant group is spreading not only in the Middle East, but also in Asia. Countries concerned must deepen their cooperation to block the group’s move to create a stronghold and prevent terrorism from proliferating in the region.

The occupation of Marawi – a city on Mindanao island in the southern Philippines – by an armed group that has pledged loyalty to ISIL has continued since May. The Philippine administration under President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law on the whole island and has been carrying out an operation to drive ISIL out of the city, but is yet to quell the militant group.
Worsening the crisis, foreign fighters inspired by radical ideology have been joining the militants, from such countries as Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It is said that the group is possibly receiving financial assistance from ISIL.
In the Philippines, a large majority of citizens are Christians, but in Mindanao more than 20 per cent are Muslims. Conflicts have repeatedly erupted between the Philippine government and armed Muslim groups, which are seeking secession and independence from the Philippines.
The influence of ISIL has mainly infiltrated poorer areas in Middle Eastern Islamic regions. It is feared that in Asia, ISIL may also assemble small units of extremists to foment terror.
The expanding efforts among countries concerned to extend support to the Philippines demonstrate the sense of alarm over such developments.
Malaysia and Indonesia launched joint sea patrols with the Philippines off the coasts of Mindanao. The patrols are aimed at preventing militant groups from moving back and forth between the island and other countries and stopping the threat from spreading.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is urged to further strengthen information sharing and emigration and immigration control.
China has provided arms to the Philippine military, whose equipment and capabilities are insufficient. China has probably been wary of such a situation in which the influence of ISIL spreads into China, and the Muslim Uighur ethnic minority – opposed to suppression by the Chinese Communist Party administration – escalates its terrorist acts.
The United States, which is allied with the Philippines, has also provided the country with such equipment as drones and offered military training and advice to the Philippine forces. 
The key to success in the operation to flush terrorists out of Marawi will be whether the US administration under President Donald Trump boosts its military engagement in the country.
In connection with the conflicts on Mindanao, Japan has for many years made efforts in the peace process. Japan needs to advance diplomatic support of the Philippines to help the country regain social order as soon as possible.
President Duterte has been singled out for his human rights violations in his heavy-handed approach to drug control, and has also been criticised over his inflammatory language and actions. He must make more of an effort in this regard to win support from the international community in clearing out the armed group and implementing anti-terror measures.

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