Singapore facing “elevated” terrorism threat with ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, says report
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The just-published Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report 2024 says that the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has resulted in an “elevated” level of terrorism threat to the island nation. There is an “uptick in anti-Singapore rhetoric” posted online, says a July 25 media release summarising the report, which is compiled by the Internal Security Department, under the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs.
The media release says: “While there is no indication of an imminent attack, the terrorism threat to Singapore remains high. The terrorism threat has been elevated since the Israel-Palestine conflict re-escalated following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.”
“The conflict has generated emotive responses worldwide, including acts of violence, and terrorist elements have leveraged the conflict to further their agenda and called for attacks,” says the release. “These developments also impact Singapore. There has been an uptick in anti-Singapore rhetoric on social media from regional extremist elements.”
Naming the Islamic terrorist organisations that pose the greatest threat to the world, the release says: “Islamist terrorism remains at the forefront of the global terrorism threat landscape, in particular by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
“ISIS has transited into a covert organisation. It is behind the protracted insurgency in Iraq and Syria, while maintaining a global terror campaign. Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda (AQ) poses a simmering threat.”
While the Middle East (aka West Asia) is the primarily affected region, other parts of the continent are also at risk. The report summary says: “In Southeast Asia, too, ISIS remains the primary threat actor. The region continues to see ISIS-linked or inspired attacks and foiled plots.”
Self-radicalised individuals put Singapore at risk
“In Singapore, the primary threat driver continues to be online self-radicalisation,” says the summary, adding that “52 self-radicalised individuals (comprising 40 Singaporeans and 12 foreigners) have been dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA) since 2015. Youth radicalisation is a particular concern. 13 of the 52 were aged 20 or younger.”
Since the publication of the last Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report in July 2023, “[the] ISD has dealt with three self-radicalisation cases”, according to the 2024 report summary. They were issued with Restriction Orders (ROs) under the ISA.
“Two were boys, aged 14 and 16. The third was a 33-year-old female. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict triggered the radicalisation of the 14-year-old and 33-year-old. The 16-year-old was radicalised by far-right extremist ideologies,” the summary informs.
Asking the people of Singapore to resist the forces promoting terrorism, the media release says: “Public vigilance and preparedness are key to our defence against terrorism.”
“The authorities will not always be able to neutralise plots before they are actualised, or identify radicalised individuals before they act. It is critical that the public remains strongly vigilant to the possibility of a terrorist attack against the country, and that such an attack may be successful,” it adds.
There are official channels for reporting suspicious activities: “Anyone with information or suspicion on terrorism-related activities, or persons who may be radicalised, should promptly contact the ISD Counter-Terrorism hotline at 1800-2626-473 (1800-2626-ISD).”
Being ready for any anti-national development is essential, and each person in Singapore can play a part in it.
The release says: “We should also prepare ourselves for the eventuality of a successful attack, so that we are able to respond well and help mitigate the consequences. Please learn more about SGSecure to understand the role we can play, or sign up as an SGSecure Responder, at sgsecure.gov.sg.”
About community preparedness activities in Singapore, the threat assessment report says: “MHA and the People’s Association (PA) have been enhancing emergency preparedness and response at the community level via the Community Response Roundtable (CRRT). This initiative is part of the broader SGSecure movement to foster collaboration among local community stakeholders to enhance crisis preparedness and community resilience. To date, there are 34 CRRTs islandwide.”
South-East Asia threats from terrorism activity
Citing the threats in South-East Asia, the Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report 2024 says: “Regional terror elements, particularly those with pro-ISIS leanings, have remained resilient and adaptable, and have the capability to perpetrate attacks.”
Singapore’s neighbourhood has seen such a recent terror attack. “In Malaysia, a radicalised male lone actor, likely motivated by ISIS’s violent ideology, attacked a police station in Ulu Tiram, Johor on 17 May 2024, killing two police officers and injuring a third,” says the report.
“The attacker’s immediate family members were arrested in the aftermath of the attack, and have been charged in court for terrorism-related offences,” it adds. “Authorities also undertook a series of operations in May and June 2024, arresting at least 15 pro-ISIS supporters.”
“Several suspects had allegedly made threats against Malaysia’s King, Prime Minister and senior police officials. Meanwhile, in the Philippines and Indonesia, despite strong [counter-terrorism] efforts, Islamist militants retain their bomb-making capabilities, and continue to plot attacks,” the Singapore report says.
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