After the attacks of Sri Lanka’s many issues, why is the South-Asian country was the target and what are the Links to the Islamist terrorism. Expert Susanne Schröter of the DW replied.
DW: in the Meantime, the “Islamic state has claimed” the series of attacks. This is credible?
That’s what it is. The government in Colombo had reported that a small Islamist group called the “National Thowheeth Jama’ath” stand behind it. But each of the experts was clear that this is in principle nonsense. Such a particular group would hardly have been capable of an attack of this magnitude. Something like this requires an exact planning, equipment, organization, skills, and much more. The immediately reminded of the great choreographed attacks, which we know from Mumbai or Paris. Overall, the impression that the government tried to say anything, because she obviously has little idea.
Susanne Schröter: Jihad-fighters to pull out of the Middle East to Asia
The attacks were carried out in Hotels and churches on Easter Sunday. Why in Sri Lanka?
In Sri Lanka, the Christians were never really a group that has political standing in the centre. A conflict history between Muslims and Christians in Sri Lanka, the assassin will not be able to dock. There are not in Sri Lanka. So this is very unusual, what is happening now.
I think the real reason is that it was an easy target. The authorities were obviously not equipped very well or vigilant, even though it is supposed to have warnings given.
The approach of the terrorists was to unfold with tremendous brutality of symbolic locations to symbolic time with the greatest international impact. And that is also managed. The message was: you can throw us, with international troops from Syria and Iraq to get out, but we are not done. We are powerful! I think that was the real message.
In recent years, there have been more and more attacks and violent conflict with a jihadist Background in South and South – East Asia. Takes place here is a shift from the Middle East to other regions?
This takes place on each case. This is the great danger to which all countries must be prepared not only in Asia – in any way. That the IS in Syria and in Iraq has largely failed, it means that very many who have joined the IS, go back now. These people are trying, in their home countries or elsewhere attacks. Here, too, you want to show that We are still there. The IS or Al-Qaeda, the international, transnational large-scale organizations, beyond easily boundaries, the weapons, funds, people, over half of the world can carry. These are people who have Terror as a business model and earn their living.
You have to expect that you perform attacks, and mainly there, where the security institutions are not prepared for it.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe (2.v.r.) was not informed of warnings
How well networked the scene in Asia?
There are in the whole of the jihadist Milieu on the one hand, again and again, competition and spin-offs. This is simply due to the fact that different leaders have different views, and then your allegiance to each mobilize. There is also fusion. This entire scene is extremely portable. The biggest Problem is that We have anywhere in South and Southeast Asia jihadist structures that have international experience.
All who have fought together in Syria, have good Connections and keep Connections, even if they go back to their home countries, and they are highly motivated.
Depending on where attacks are carried out, you look for any special justification, but it is ultimately not the case. But these groups, therefore, to make sure that they are still powerful, in spite of the international operations against the IS in Syria and Iraq.
As well South and South – East Asia to the challenge prepared? There are TRANS-national Anti-terrorist cooperation?
This is very different. There is TRANS-national cooperation in Anti-Terror fight, but especially where the risk is greatest and where governments are involved. This depends also on whether the authorities are ready to work with foreign governments or intelligence services to cooperate. Since Sri Lanka is not prepared certainly very good. So far, there was not this need. So that was actually a gap, in which the terrorists are now pushed into.
Susanne Schröter is the Director of the Frankfurt research center Global Islam (FFGI).
The Interview was conducted by Rodion Ebbighausen.