80 South Africans feared to have joined Isis in Syria
Philippine marines conduct a clearing operation near the site where weapons and ISIS flags were recovered following a November 26 firefight with members of a criminal gang who pledged allegiance to Islamic State jihadists, in Palimbang town, Sultan Kudarat province, on the southern island of Mindanao on November 28, 2015. 80 South Africans are feared to have joined Isis. PHOTO | MARK NAVALED | AFP
What you need to know:
- 80 South Africans believed to be involved with Jihadist organisation, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) in the Middle East.
- The UN also claims that about 15,000 people had travelled to fight alongside Isis and other hardcore militant groups.
- Late last month, a legitimate South African driver’s licence was found on the body of a dead Jihadist in France.
PRETORIA
Analysts in South Africa believe 80 locals could be involved with Jihadist organisation, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) in the Middle East.
Muslim scholar, Farid Esack, who heads the Department of Religion Studies at the University of Johannesburg, has said that the number of South Africa nationals with Isis could be between 50 and 80.
A few weeks ago, Iraqi Ambassador to S. Africa, Dr Hisham Al-Alawi, quoted an almost similar estimation when addressing the media. “We have between 50 and 80 S. Africans in Syria, but a number of them have gone and come back,” Prof Esack told The New Age.
Both Prof Esack and Dr Al-Alawi said the recruits were enticed on social networks.
A 2014 UN report said Jihadist aspirants from more than 80 countries have flocked to fight in Iraq and Syria on an “unprecedented scale”.
HARDCORE MILITANT GROUPS
The UN also claims that about 15,000 people had travelled to fight alongside Isis and other hardcore militant groups from countries that have not previously faced challenges relating to Al-Qaeda. Prof Esack said the picture painted to potential recruits by recruiters did not reveal the truth behind the real life of a Jihadist before joining.
“Most of these are from wealthy background and once they are there, they begin to miss their Mercedes Benz or their comfortable homes and they want to return,” he said.
Late last month, a legitimate South African driver’s licence was found on the body of a dead Jihadist in France. South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs later confirmed the licence was genuine.
POSSIBLE ATTACKS
Meanwhile, security officials from Zimbabwe and Zambia met last month to discuss ways to prepare themselves for possible attacks. Prof Esack said this was important despite the fact that there are no signs any of the two countries face attack threats.
“You always ensure your fire extinguishers are ready even when you don’t expect any fire to break out. I wouldn’t think the meeting was unnecessary panic,” he said.
Several South African nationals have returned to the country from Isis and government has allowed them to reintegrate into society. “We continue to monitor them and we are aware there are South Africans involved with Isis, but we have no idea what the figures could be,” State Security spokesperson, Brian Dube said.
