Five former detainees under the Internal Security Act (ISA) are among the 40 Malaysians who are in Syria fighting alongside Islamic State militants.
A source told The Star Online‘s Farik Zolkepli that the five are former Kumpulan Mujahideen Malaysia (KMM) members Zainuri Kamaruddin and Rafi Udin, former Jemaah Islamiah (JI) operative Samad Shukri and Zid Saharani Mohamad Esa, and former Kedah PAS Youth information chief Mohd Lotfi Ariffin.
Sources said that Zainuri, Rafi and Samad had travelled to Syria on April 18 with another jihadist, Zainan Harith, also known as Abu Turob. Zainan has since been killed.
The latest Malaysian to die in the conflict was 21-year old Mohammad Fadhlan Shahidi Mohammad Khir from Kedah. He was killed while fleeing an offensive by Syrian government forces on Tuesday.
“Zainan was killed in an attack in Syria which left the other three severely injured. The authorities believe all the former ISA detainees are still in Syria fighting for a militant group,” a source said.
While in Malaysia, the local jihadist militants would hold meetings, dubbed “Usra” in random locations to avoid detection.
“These Usra included planning attacks and heists to fund the extremist movement. Their ultimate goal was to bear arms and fight in Syria,” the source said.
Authorities have identified several locations in the Klang Valley where “Usra” meetings have taken place, including Puchong, Shah Alam, and Puncak Alam in Klang.
When he left for Syria in April, Zainan did not even tell his wife about it. He just threw the car keys and said he was leaving.
“He only contacted the wife when he was in transit to Syria. They have been in constant contact via Whatsapp since – until their last communication on Aug 15,” the source said.
See Also:
Malaysians have been joining ISIS militants in Iraq
Wisma Putra: 15 Malaysian militants believed killed in Syria
Police manhunt for five local militants with ties to ISIL
UM lecturer wanted for terrorism openly preached for holy war and martyrdom
Islamist militants are planning terror attacks in Southeast Asia
Intelligence report: Malaysian women committing “sexual jihad” to support Middle East jihadists
