After US, Australia warns of terrorist threat in Indonesia

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After US, Australia warns of terrorist threat in Indonesia

EPA

The advice says: 'We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia, including Bali, at this time due to the high threat of terrorist attack'

 

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Following the US embassy’s threat warning, Australia has also advised its citizens to “exercise a high degree of caution” in Indonesia due to intelligence reports about potential terrorist attacks.

“We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia, including Bali, at this time due to the high threat of terrorist attack,” the Australian travel advice issued on Monday, January 5, said.

“We continue to receive information that indicates that terrorists may be planning attacks in Indonesia, which could take place at any time.”

The advice noted the US government’s January 3 warning of a potential threat against US-associated hotels and banks in Surabaya, but it didn’t limit its warning to the city. 

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australia was monitoring the situation in Indonesia “very closely”, according to The Daily Telegraph. 

A number of Australians have been victimized by terrorist attacks in Indonesia. Of the 202 people killed in the 2002 Bali Bombings, 88 were Australians. Three Australians were also killed in the 2009 suicide bombing of the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Jakarta. In 2004, a car bomb also exploded outside the Australian embassy in South Jakarta.

In response to the US warning, Indonesian National Police Chief Gen. Sutarman said on Monday that the security situation in Indonesia, particularly in Surabaya, was good.

“On what basis have they issued this warning? I can assure you that Indonesia is safe from any security disruptions. Surabaya is safe. There is nothing to worry about,” he said, according to state news agency Antara.

Indonesia has waged a crackdown on extremist groups over the past decade following attacks against Western targets, including the 2002 Bali bombings – a campaign that has been credited with weakening key networks.

But in recent months authorities have raised concerns that a wave of potential jihadist sympathizers is emerging from the world’s most populous Muslim nation.

In total, an estimated 514 indonesians have gone to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside Islamic State militants.

Six people – including a couple and their 10-year-old child – were arrested at Jakarta airport in late December for attempting to travel to Syria to join the IS group.

A large number of Muslims around the world have gravitated towards the radical group, which this year declared a caliphate spanning territories it captured in Syria and Iraq. – with a report from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com

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