Islamic State Wants to Exploit Indonesia's Natural Resources: Military Chief
Jakarta. The apparent attempt by Islamic State to move its base from the Middle East to the Philippines is aimed at seeking entry into Indonesia and taking control of its abundant natural resources, Indonesia's military chief said on Wednesday (28/12), as he warned of greater threats to Indonesia's national security.
Islamic State militants are now being driven out of parts of Syria and Iraq, but are reportedly attempting to set up a new Southeast Asian stronghold in the restive southern area of Mindanao in the Philippines which Muslim rebels have made their home for dozens of years.
The Islamic State, which Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo claims has more commercial interests than ideological ones, is apparently eyeing energy sources in Sumatra and Kalimantan, the latter of which shares water borders with Mindanao.
Indonesia is the biggest Muslim-majority democracy in the world and the Islamic State wants to make it part of their so-called caliphate, the general said.
"The southern Philippines is being prepared to become the Southeast Asian base of Islamic State. The objective is to take control of Indonesia, to secure its natural resources," Gatot said in Jakarta.
A string of terror attacks in parts of Indonesia throughout 2016 have suggested a light presence of Islamic State in the country, with homegrown militants increasingly taking instructions from leaders based in the Middle East.
Various local hardline groups, such as the East Islamic Mujahidin (MIT) based in Poso, Central Sulawesi, and a newly formed splinter group led by Bahrun Naim, which is given orders from Syria, have pledged their loyalty to the Islamic State.
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