Warning On Insurgent Groups

[cali4995]

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2 ... ant-groups
Note: Food for thought if you've ever pondered the interminable Southern situation.
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Warning on militant groups
SOUTHERN INSURGENTS, INTERNATIONAL TERRORISTS THOUGHT TO BE FORMING LINKS

JERUSALEM : Foreign security experts are warning Thai security authorities not to underestimate the link between insurgent groups in the deep South and international terrorist networks.

Jonathan Spyer, senior research fellow of the Global Research in International Affairs (Gloria) Centre, said international terrorists were trying to forge regional connections with like-minded groups.

"I cannot confirm whether insurgent groups in the deep south of Thailand have links with international terrorists, but al-Qaeda is clearly trying to reinforce its links with terrorist groups in Southeast Asia," he said.

"Don't forget that they are all Muslim brothers and will be part of a global jihad," he told a recent security and terrorist forum in Jerusalem.

Mr Spyer also suggested Thailand adopt a policy to meet the insurgents half-way, for example through partial introduction of the sharia (Islamic religious law), and concessions on official use of ethnic languages.

A link had been established between Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network and the Southeast Asian terror group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), the group allegedly responsible for the 2002 Bali bombings.

JI leading member Hambali, arrested in Thailand, was linked to al-Qaeda's 9/11 attacks in the US.

Meanwhile Abu Sayaff, the Islamist separatist group based in the southern islands of the Philippines, is linked to JI, and also received early funding from regional Islamic charities linked to Mohammed Jamal Khalifa, the brother-in-law of Bin Laden, he said.

Abu Sayaff was also suspected of planning attacks with Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic group.

The link between the insurgency in southern Thailand and the global jihad was less clear, but authorities should not disregard it, said Mr Spyer.

James Busis, director of the Asia-Pacific Institute from the American-Jewish Committee, said modern communications technology made it easy for international terrorists to forge links with regional groups.

"Now they may only share the same ideology but in the near future, I believe they will be linked in the same terrorism networks," said Mr Busis.

Supong Limtanakool, vice-president of external affairs at Bangkok University, said he hoped foreign groups would keep out of Thailand's southern troubles.

"The more foreigners get involved, the more violence will increase," he said.

An Israeli foreign ministry official said insurgent groups in Thailand might also attempt to forge links with JI regional terrorists in Southeast Asia.
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[BobHelm]

I cannot confirm whether insurgent groups in the deep south of Thailand have links with international terrorists

But an Israeli terrorist expert claiming that all international terrorism is linked, and that it all stems from Arab backing & control......why am I not surprised one bit by this piece..

[Fawn]

The Southern unrest scenario seems to be locally concerned and a beef with Thailand, not really part of a global Jihad. However, it may give them improved access to PR and arms, rather like the PIRA and Libyan relationship.

[mak]

"Two Malaysian prisoners at Guantánamo Bay pleaded guilty on Tuesday to conspiring in the October 2002 nightclub bombings in the resort island of Bali, Indonesia, that killed more than 200 people."

[Laan Yaa Mo]

I really miss Fawn!

[tamada]

Iran warns the US against escalating the middle east crisis after the latter (and allies) strike at terrorist facilities in Yemen.

Iran then carries out a strike against terrorist facilities in Pakistan.

News just coming in of Pakistan's response.

Pakistan confirms strikes against ‘terrorists’ on Iranian soil https://www.rt.com/news/590846-pakistan ... errorists/

[rick]

WW3 in 2025, kicking off after the US election. Everyone will be at war with somebody.

[FrazeeDK]

well a mere few hundred kilometers away from us here in Udon the Myanmar or take yer choice Burma government forces are in it big time against a number of ethnic militia groups, the Shan and Karen being two. It seems in the last week two Burmese government aircraft were shot down, one MI-8 chopper and one fixed wing aircraft. Point is we rarely seen anything about it as close as we are...

[jackspratt]

I suspect that is to do with the ASEAN policy of non-interference in your neighbour's internal affairs ie the three wise monkeys policy.

Given the makeup of most of the governments in the SEA region, it is a "you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours" mutual protection racket.

[tamada]

WW3 in 2025, kicking off after the US election. Everyone will be at war with somebody.

Andrey Sushentsov: Here’s why Russia and the US are set for a long confrontation https://www.rt.com/news/590937-russia-u ... rontation/

[tamada]

WW3 in 2025, kicking off after the US election. Everyone will be at war with somebody.

My previous post linked to a Russian commentator from Russian mainstream media, and for some here, that in itself may be cause for disagreement.

However, the following is an opinion from the Chairman of Nato’s Military Committee, Adml Rob Bauer.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/ ... s-ukraine/