The Memo: 22 Jul—28 Jul 2024

In brief:

• BNPT seizes radical book, calls for ban.
• Singapore report: Terrorists primarily use cash, not crypto.
• Al-Barka declared ASG-free, firearms surrendered.
• Three officers injured in Pattani clash with insurgents.
• Kyrgyzstan detains suspect planning CIS attack, investigation ongoing.
• Belgium arrests seven linked to ISKP, foiling potential attack.
• Turkey captures Evgenii Serebryakov, bomber linked to Moscow attack.
• U.N. warns of rising terrorism in Syria; SDF kills IS operative.
• Ten charged for RM24.2 million bank theft; bail denied.
• Sri Lanka faces rising gun violence, drug trafficking, and gangs.
• Russian man arrested in France for plotting Olympic destabilisation.
• New Malaysian cyber security law announced; licences required for large social media services from August.
• North Korean hackers targeted nuclear, military, and industrial secrets globally.
• France launched malware cleanup operation amid Olympic security threats.

Terrorism and insurgency

1. Indonesia
   Indonesia's National Counter Terrorism Agency (BNPT) has identified the book series Tauhid: for the Greatest Happiness by Abu Sulaiman (Aman Abdurrahman) as significant evidence in terrorism cases. The agency seized the book from 22 terrorism-related cases and considers it dangerous. BNPT has called for a ban on this book and similar works that promote violence and terrorism in Indonesia. Additionally, BNPT has initiated a critical analysis of the book and advocates for a collaborative approach to counter-radicalisation.
   
2. Singapore
   The Monetary Authority of Singapore has raised the risk level for crypto exchanges to prevent terrorism financing. Nevertheless, Singapore's 2024 terrorism report revealed that cash transfers are the primary fundraising method for terrorist groups like the Islamic State (IS), despite a slight increase in cryptocurrency use.
   
3. The Philippines
   Al-Barka in Basilan was declared free of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). The military confirmed that government forces had suppressed ASG influence in the town, marking a significant step towards peace. Residents surrendered firearms to demonstrate their commitment to building a safer community.
   
4. Thailand
   Three military officers were seriously injured in a clash with insurgents in Pattani. The conflict began when a ranger patrol, part of a special task force, attempted to apprehend insurgents in Khlong Chang village. The insurgents opened fire, leading to a 15-minute firefight with explosions.
   
5. Kyrgyzstan
   A Kyrgyz citizen linked to an international terrorist organisation has been detained for planning an attack in a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) country. The suspect, who used encrypted Telegram accounts for coordination will remain in custody while investigations are carried out.
   
6. Belgium
   In a major anti-terrorist operation across Belgium, seven suspects with ties to the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) were arrested for planning an attack. The operation, one of the largest in Belgian history, aimed to thwart a possible attack, potentially targeting the Paris Olympics.
   
7. Turkiye
   Turkish security forces captured Evgenii Serebryakov, the terrorist allegedly responsible for a recent bomb attack in Russia. Interior Minister Yerlikaya confirmed that Serebryakov was detained in Bodrum, after arriving from Moscow. Serebryakov was not recognised initially due to a lack of records. Russian Interpol officials had notified Türkiye's Interpol/Europol Department about his arrival.
   
8. Syria
   U.N. envoy Geir Pedersen reported that the threat of terrorism in Syria is resurging, with Islamic State attacks expected to double this year. He highlighted Syria's dire humanitarian conditions, with nearly half a million dead and half the population displaced. The U.N. called for increased humanitarian access and international funding while urging continued peace negotiations amid ongoing regional conflicts and escalating violence. Just last week, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) killed an IS operative during a security operation in Deir ez-Zor province. The SDF reported that the operative was involved in attacks on military forces and civilians. Despite ISIS losing territorial control, the group remains a security threat, prompting ongoing SDF operations.

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Organised Crimes

1. Malaysia
   Ten individuals, including two bank managers, were charged in court for allegedly stealing RM24.2 million from a bank's fixed deposit accounts. They faced charges of belonging to an organised criminal group, with no pleas recorded as the case fell under High Court jurisdiction. The court denied bail due to security concerns and public interest, ordering detention until September 13.
   
2. Sri Lanka
   Gun violence surged in Sri Lanka in the first half of the year, with about 50 murders linked to gang clashes. The Global Organised Crime Index highlighted Sri Lanka as a key transit hub for heroin, exacerbating drug-related violence. The rise in drug trafficking and illegal weapons has intensified gang activity, particularly in the Kelani Valley area, while maritime smuggling and gang-related violence have become widespread issues.

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Intelligence, Espionage and Covert Actions

1. France
   A Russian man was arrested in France for allegedly plotting to destabilise the Paris Olympics. Prosecutors opened an investigation into the suspected passing of intelligence to foreign powers to incite hostilities in France. The man was indicted and placed in pre-trial detention, with authorities focusing on counter-espionage rather than counter-terrorism.

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Conflict

1. Mali
   Wagner commander Anton Yelizarov, who led assaults on Soledar and Bakhmut and was rumoured to be a potential successor to Evgeny Prigozhin, has been killed in Mali on July 27. He was reportedly killed by Tuareg rebels and al-Qaeda, along with 80 Wagner soldiers.
   

Cyber security and unlawful access

1. Malaysia
   Malaysian MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said announced that a new legislation for enhancing cyber security, including a 'kill switch', will be tabled in Parliament this October. The legislation will hold social media and internet messaging providers accountable for online crimes. Additionally, Malaysia has also announced that from August 1, social media services with over 8 million users must apply for a licence as part of a national effort to combat cyber offences. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission stated that failure to apply by January 1, 2025, would result in legal action. This move follows a sharp rise in harmful social media content and aims to ensure compliance with local laws.
   
2. North Korea
   North Korean state-backed hackers targeted nuclear, military, and industrial secrets in the UK and US, as intelligence agencies exposed a global cyber-espionage campaign. A joint notice revealed that the DPRK, through the group Andariel, sought sensitive data from multiple industries, including defence and aerospace. The hackers are also aiming at sensitive data in the medical and energy sectors. The campaign, involving ransomware attacks to fund operations, affect countries like Japan and India as well.
   
3. France
   French authorities initiated a major operation to remove malware, suspected of affecting thousands of users for espionage just before the Olympics. The operation, involving the disinfection of infected systems, began a week prior and will continue for several months. This comes amid heightened security threats, including recent sabotage of high-speed rail lines in France. Additionally, the French government recently began investigating a suspected Chinese espionage campaign that has compromised thousands of networks across the country.

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