The Memo: 1 Nov—10 Nov 2024
The Memo from 1 Nov—10 Nov 2024: Summary of incidents, ranging from terrorism, covert actions, organised crimes, regional conflicts to cybersecurity incidents.
In brief:
- Indonesia: Densus 88 investigates JAD resurgence after arrests in Central Java.
- Thailand: Four gunmen killed Narathiwat mayor in his garment factory.
- Pakistan: Suicide bombing kills 38, injures 90 at Quetta railway station.
- Lebanon: Drone strike injures six Malbatt members near Saida Stadium, Lebanon.
- Myanmar: UN warns imminent famine threatens millions in Myanmar’s conflict-hit Rakhine state.
- Cyber: AI generates videos of deceased terrorists for extremist propaganda.
Terrorism and insurgency
- Central Java, Indonesia
Densus 88 in Indonesia investigates the resurgence of the Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) terrorist network after arresting three suspects in Central Java. Densus 88 spokesperson confirms that the current JAD network shares the same ideology and mission as the JAD disbanded in 2018. The group, founded in 2015 and affiliated with ISIS, seeks to establish an Islamic state. JAD is linked to several past bombings, including in Surabaya and Makassar.
- Narathiwat, Thailand:
Four gunmen killed Wichet Thaithongnum, mayor of tambon Rueso in Narathiwat, inside his garment factory. They used an AK-102 assault rifle linked to 23 other violent cases in southern Thailand, including the killings of two defence volunteers.
- Quetta, Pakistan:
A suicide bombing at Quetta’s main railway station in southwestern Pakistan killed at least 38 people and injured 90. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility, targeting a busy platform crowded with passengers. The BLA, involved in a decades-long insurgency, has intensified its activities since the region’s Gwadar port became central to China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative.
Active conflict and hot spots
- Beirut, Lebanon
Six Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) members sustained injuries in an Israeli drone strike near Saida Stadium, Lebanon, while traveling from Beirut to Marakah Camp. The explosion, targeting a civilian vehicle, also damaged the Malbatt transport bus, injuring five Malbatt 850-12 personnel and one from Malbatt 850-11. One soldier, suspected of a closed arm fracture, received treatment at Hamood Hospital.
- Myanmar
The U.N. warns of imminent famine in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Conflict, blockades, and inflation have halted the economy, threatening starvation for over 2 million. Internal food production covers only 20% of needs, risking collapse by early 2025. The UNDP urges immediate aid access and support for agriculture. Without intervention, 95% of Rakhine’s population may face severe deprivation and isolation. Read more here.
Cybersecurity, unlawful access and AI-assisted disinformation
- Indonesia
Videos of deceased Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists appear online, using artificial intelligence to portray them discussing past attacks. These deepfake videos, gaining thousands of views, are used as recruitment tools, creating psychological impacts on audiences. Read more here.
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- Insight on Contextualising Al-Qaeda's Call To Arms and Implications for Southeast Asia's Militants.
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- Insight on Reassessing the Ulu Tiram Incident: The Subjectivity of Terror Labels.
- Insight on Jemaah Islamiyah Arrests in Sulawesi: Contextualising the Threat Perception by Alif Satria.
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- The Deep Dive on Shalom Avitan and Illicit Arms Trade in Malaysia's Periphery. A useful read to understand Thailand-Malaysia gunrunning.
- Flashpoint analysis on Iran-Israel Standoff: Navigating a No-Win Situation - Recent military exchanges between Israel and Iran have heightened regional tensions. What implications might this have for global stability?
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