ISIS Video Shows Terror Battle is about Winning Young Hearts, Minds: Eng Hen

TODAY

24 May 2016

The latest propaganda video by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) showing child fighters from Malaysia and Indonesia firing guns, burning their passports and denouncing their citizenships — while a wanted terrorist delivered a provocative message for regional governments — has raised concerns among terror experts.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen yesterday also weighed in on the “disturbing” 16-minute clip, calling it a reminder that “this fight against terrorism is global and above all, about winning hearts and minds of the younger generation”.

… Ms Nur Diyanah Anwar, a research analyst at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies’ (RSIS) Centre of Excellence for National Security, noted the recent surge of propaganda materials from Isis that were translated into regional languages such as Malay and Bahasa Indonesia.

“It is clear that Isis is placing great focus on South-east Asia,” she said.

Videos centered on children are a timely reminder that Isis runs a “multigenerational campaign” that targets everyone in society, including children and women, said Professor Rohan Gunaratna, who heads the RSIS’ International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research.

National University of Singapore political scientist Bilveer Singh said the act of burning passports was symbolic of Isis followers severing ties with their home countries. “(The scene) shows to the world that Isis supporters were defiantly abandoning their home state for the Islamic State. It is a public act of disavowal,” he said.

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Last updated on 24/05/2016