80 Malaysian nationals have joined ISIL: Official
Tens of Malaysian citizens have joined the ranks of ISIL Takfiri group, which is wreaking havoc in crisis-stricken Middle Eastern countries of Iraq and Syria.
Speaking at a press conference in the northeastern city of Kota Bharu on Monday, Senior Assistant Director at the Counter Terrorism Division of the Malaysian Police Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said 80 Malaysians are fighting alongside the ISIL extremists in either of the two Arab countries.
“The figure may go up. ISIL is a unique terrorist group in the way it recruits members. It also exploits women. Many who were influenced into joining ISIL become sex slaves,” Ayob Khan said.
He further noted that eleven Malaysian nationals, including six bombers, have been killed during ISIL acts of terror in Syria and Iraq.
Ayob Khan added that ISIL adroitly makes use of social media networks, Facebook and Twitter in particular, as well as the video-sharing website YouTube to promote its ideology around the globe.
“They have thousands of cyber troopers, who will respond to whatever statements on ISIL in the media, other than making documentaries and much more,” the top Malaysian counter terrorism official stated.
Late last month, government authorities said seven civil servants from different state institutions are among the Malaysians fighting with ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq.
According to an October 2014 report by the UN Security Council, 15,000 foreigners have flocked to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside the ISIL or other terrorist groups.
European countries have repeatedly expressed concern over the ISIL’s influence across the continent. Authorities fear that the European militants will use their combat skills against their countries upon returning home.
The ISIL controls some parts of Iraq and Syria. The terrorists have been carrying out horrific acts of violence, including public decapitations, against all Iraqi and Syrian communities such as Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians.
MP/MKA/HRB
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