Malaysia: Police arrest ten suspected militants

Event

Ten people suspected of aiding Islamic State (IS) militants in Malaysia have been arrested in recent weeks, according to a statement issued by police officials on Wednesday, February 21. The suspects were arrested during a series of raids between January 25 and February 6 in Johor and Sabah. Officials said that among those detained, seven of them are Philippine nationals connected to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). According to police, the suspects were part of a network that smuggled militants through Malaysia into the southern Philippines to receive training from IS.

Context

Hundreds of people have been arrested over the past few years in Malaysia with suspected links to militant organizations. The ASG was involved in the fighting in the Philippine town of Marawi in 2017, which lasted from May through October. Clashes broke out following a botched government raid on a hideout sheltering Isnilon Hapilon, the leader of ASG. Around 1100 people, including at least 897 militants, 167 security personnel, and 57 civilians, died in the subsequent fighting, with another 600,000 people displaced.

Advice

Individuals in Malaysia are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior or activity to the authorities.