NOVEMBER 2015 ATTACK IN PARIS BY ISIS

NOVEMBER 2015 ATTACK IN PARIS BY ISIS

 DATE AND TIME PUBLISHED : 27/04/2021, 11.44 AM

WRITTEN BY : KAM2284D

 1. NOR NADIA BINTI AZMAN (2020899318)

2. INTAN NAZIFA BINTI JONID (2020899312)

3. SITI NAJIHA BINTI SHAIFUL NIZAM (2020862062)

4. MUHAMMAD ILHAM BIN MOHD AZHARI  (2020608314)

5. AZREEN SHAHIRA BINTI MD ASRI (2020483726)

TOPIC : NOVEMBER 2015 ATTACK IN PARIS BY ISIS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and known by its Arabic acronym Daesh. This organization is a unrecognized proto state that follows a Salafi jihadist doctrine. ISIL was founded by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and gained global prominence in 2014 when it drove Iraqi security forces out of key cities in its Western Iraq offensive, it followed by its capture of Mosul and the Sinjar massacre.

The group has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations. ISIL is known for its videos of beheadings and other types of executions of both soldiers and civilians, including journalists and aid workers and its destruction of cultural heritage sites. The United Nations holds ISIL responsible for committing human rights abuses, genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The Islamic State committed genocide and ethnic cleansing on a historic scale in northern Iraq.

Sunni jihadist group with a particularly violent ideology that calls itself a caliphate and claims religious authority over all Muslims. It was inspired by al Qaida but later publicly expelled from itISIL originated in 1999, pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and participated in the Iraqi insurgency following the 2003 invasion of Iraq by Western forces. In June 2014, the group proclaimed itself a worldwide caliphate and began referring to itself as the Islamic State (IS). As a caliphate, it claimed religious, political, and military authority over all Muslims worldwide. Its adoption of the name Islamic State and its idea of a caliphate have been critic, with the United Nations, various governments, and mainstream Muslim groups rejecting its statehood.

In Syria, the group conducted ground attacks on both government forces and opposition factions, and by December 2015, it held an area extending from western Iraq to eastern Syria, containing an estimated eight to twelve million people, where it enforced its interpretation of sharia law. ISIL is believed to be operational in 18 countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan. ISIL was estimated to have an annual budget of more than US$1 billion and more than 30,000 fighters.

 

1.1 About Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi  

       Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was a Jordanian jihadist who ran a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan. He became known after going to Iraq and being responsible for a series of bombings, beheadings, and attacks during the Iraq War, reportedly turning an insurgency against US troops in Iraq into a Shia–Sunni civil war. He was sometimes known by his supporters as the "Sheikh of the slaughterers".

 

2.0 THE INCIDENT OF NOVEMBER 2015 ATTACK IN PARIS BY ISIS (WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHO)

       ISIL refers to Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant or also called as Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The root of this extremist group is located in eastern Syria and western Iraq. In November 2015, Paris was attacked by a group of extremists. Through this attack, a total of approximately 129 to 130 innocent people were killed and a total of 494 innocent people were wounded. The extremists were believed to be equipped with dangerous weapons such as explosives and rifles during the incident. A total of six locations were targeted by ISIS across the city Paris and those six locations were Stade de France, La Petit Cambodge and Le Carillon, La Casa Nostra and Café Bonne Biere, La Belle Equipe, Comptoir Voltaire and Bataclan.

It was informed that ISIS claimed the responsibility towards the attack that happened in November 2015 located in Paris (Research, 2020). The duration of the attack happened in 2 days which started in 13^th November 2015 until 14^th November 2015. The group of terrorist, ISIS attacked places that were crowded with innocent people. This is because the goal of the attack is to sacrifice as many innocent human as possible either in terms of killing or leaving serious wound. The reason behind the attack of Paris were told by ISIL spokesmen which claimed that the attack of terror as a revenge for the participation of France in the campaign of international military against ISIL (Spellman, 2016).

The activities of France in Syria has been active. The civil war policy which is French policy has been about removing the President which is Bashar al-Assad from having authority and as well as launching attacks of airstrikes in Syria against the ISIL. ISIL had made a claim that the attack was due to the insult of Muslim prophets as well as French Campaign. (Muro, 2015)

           The first attack by the extremist group, ISIL took place in Stade de France at 9.20 pm local time France. The first explosion of the incident occurred at the external part of Stade de France. It was the suburb north Paris at a sports stadium. During the incident, the place was occupied by a large crowd because a football match was going on between Germany and France. The president, Francois Hollande was in the stadium watching the football match. There were two more explosion that followed which makes a total of three explosions happened outside the stadium. The explosion were caused by three terrorists wearing the same vest occupied with explosive. The first attack was from a man who has been a target because of the man’s suspicious behaviour during routine check before entering the stadium. When the first attack took place, both the bomber and an innocent civillian were killed. The second explosion occurred at 9.30 PM local time just ten minutes after the first attack. The attack took place at the entrance of the stadium and the third attack happened at 9.53 PM at a restaurant near the stadium. (Research, 2020)

        The second venue of the attach took place in La Petit Cambodge and Le Carillon. The incident took place at 9.20 PM local time. The attack happened in the same day as the first attack. Once again when the attack took place, there were lots of civilian enjoying their night at the time. One of the witnesses saw a black vehicle with dangerous weapons open fire in that area. The ISIL member targeted the restaurant of La Petit Cambodge. Here, 15 people were killed and others are wounded badly by the open fire incident and another target was the Le Carillon bar (Kouri & Tziaferi, 2016).

       The attack continued and went south this time. At 9.32 PM local time, the group of terrorist targeted the same building which was a restaurant only it’s a different restaurant called La Cosa Nostra and Café Bonne Biere. When the event took place here, a total of  five people were killed and eight innocent people were injured badly.

          A similar way of attack happened at 9.36 PM local time. This time it was a different bar called La Belle Equipe located in Charonne street. The ISIL members fired guns targeting the random people in the bar during the incident. Here, a total of 19 innocent people were killed and 9 others were seriously injured.

        The next explosive incident occurred in Comptoir Voltaire at 9.40PM local time. The terrorist was wrapped with explosive bombs and went into the restaurant of Comptoir Voltaire. This event had resulted in the death of the bomber and a badly wounded of one man.

      The last event took place in Bataclan. At 9.40 PM local time, three terrorists were equipped with dangerous weapons upon arrival at the concert hall of Bataclan. The men equipped with weapons such as gun entered the hall and started shooting. During the shooting, there was a performance going on by a US band called Eagles of Death metal. Here, a total 1500 people have gathered and a total of 89 to 90 innocent souls were killed. At 12.20 AM local time, local police barged into the Bataclan and killed a total of three terrorists during the counterassault event.

        The suspected ringleader of the November 2015 attack was Abdelhamid Abaaoud. After travelling to Belgium, Abaaoud is believed to participate and joined ISIS located in Syria in 2013. Abaaoud have developed a relationship with Libyan ISIS called Al-Battar. (Cruickshand, 2015). Abaaoud was killed few days after the attack in November 18^th when the officials raided an apartment bulding located in northern Paris the suburb of Saint Denis.

A suspect name Salah Abdeslam, a local French national were arrested by the local police. It was believed that Salah rented a Volkswagen Polo Car which was found near the concert hall of Bataclan where 90 people were killed. Investigators have claimed that the role of Salah Abdeslam was to drive the bombers who caused the attacked in Stade de France. On 27^th of April, Salah faced charges in connection to the attacks in Paris.

         The bar and restaurant attacks was caused by Brahim Abdeslam which was Salah Abdeslam’s brother. Brahim Abdeslam died after he turned on the explosive belt near a café in Paris located in Bolevard Voltaire. Brahim Abdeslam had previour criminal record in 2010 and 2011. Abaaoud and Brahim Abdeslam lived at a rundown district of Brussels in Molenbeek. Here, a Muslim population can be found and the officials have described this town as “ground of breeds of jihadists”.

         Another suspect was known as Chakib Akrouh. Chakib Akrouh blew himself to pieces using a vest of suicide when the police barged on a flat located in Saint Denis. Chakib Akrouh was claimed to be apart of the incident attacks in bar and restaurant which left approximately 39 people dead. This was because of the DNA found in a car driver by the terrorist. Among other suspects that are dead are Bilal Hadfi, Ahmad Al-Mohammed, M Al Mahmod, Omar Ismail Mostefai, Samy Amimour and Foued Mohamed-Aggad (Kouri & Tziaferi, 2016).

 

3.0 REVIEW

3.1 CHALLENGES

Challenges Faced By France During The Attacks By ISIL

 

3.1.1 Response In Terms Of Health

This is one of the major challenges that needs to be faced by France is in terms of health response. This is because during the incident, the attacks have affected many victims and makes it difficult for the Health team to manage a very large demand to treat the patients affected by the tragedy. Major destruction flooded the areas of the hospital and many people were in need of immediate cure. During this time intensive care is required from pre-hospital and inside hospital care which means Hospital Administration, Emergency Departments, Surgeries and other units will be flooded with people in need during the crisis of the attack. (Kouri & Tziaferi, 2016)

There are two contingency plan in the French health system which are Red Plan and White Plan. Red Plan refers to the response to crisis towards serious problems and officially declared as emergency. Whereas, the white plan that refers to the way the hospital organized the management during unexpected situations. This organizing management is in terms of victims procedure and redirection of instructions.

During the terrorist attack on November 2015, there was a large number of deaths with other seriously wounded with bad injuries. The challenge here was to stop the increasing of number of death by treating the injured patients as quickly as possible in order to help the other injured victims and to safe more life (Kouri & Tziaferi, 2016) .

 

3.1.2 Information Crisis

        To manage crisis communication and overflowing of the information regarding the terrorist attacks on November 2015 is a challenge towards French and leads to crisis of information. Firstly, the country’s emergency hotline for French was loaded with calls from the public to lodge reports upon the attacks. In French, there were two main call centres and each of these two centres were staffed with a total of forty employees only. It was estimated by the authorities of French that only one in every six calls were successfully answered by the officer in charged. In order to keep entertaining the public and maintain good information, authorities have assigned a total of 160 officers to work in the call centres. The call line was split into two which are for investigation purposes and victim support.

     Secondly, in terms of the media. The media in France is not tied to any regulations and restrictions of access to the crime scene even when the investigation were going on by the authorities. For other country such as Los Angeles, news reporter must be recognized first if they want to cover stories in relation to crime activities. In order to get a proper recognition to cover crime news, the reporter must first submit application as well as to pay a small fee as part of the process of identification. However, in France no such procedures or understanding between formal medias and regulations is practiced.

      Thirdly, the authorities did not use social media platforms to share official news regarding the attack in order to update the civilian. The first update came quite late which was the morning after the attack. Due to this, the void of information is created and this increased the panic and concern of the public especially in France.  The Department of justice released a statement stated that if the information is void, misleading and inaccurate information will fill in the information void. (Williams, 2016)

 

3.1.3 Trainings & Equipment

       Following after the attack of Paris, the civilian in France are voicing critics inside and outside the law enforcement of France. The public are concern whether France police can handle the latest generation of terrorist attacks.

      Repeated attacks and a number of crime scene will require a quick response from the security authorities that is well trained to perform in such crisis and implement a counterterrorism strategies. The first police officer responded to the attack in Bataclan was a patrolman. He managed to shot the terrorist and this leads to the terrorist’s vest to explode. The officer was then ordered to hold and wait for the official authority that specialized in dealing with terrorism activities. While waiting, a total of 30 minutes had spared until the full authority consisting of special forces to arrive. Upon this 30 minutes time, the terrorist in the hall succeeded to assemble hostages in a group and hold them in a room upstairs.

      In order to manage terrorist cases in an effective and efficient manner, the responders in that situation needs to be provided with equipment that is appropriate as well as trainings in order to neutralize the situation at heat. However, the first responder of French were only trained to perform in procedures of crime scene. These officers do not have enough counterterrorism trainings and not adequate weapons to match with the automated weapons that the terrorist have. (Williams, 2016)

 

Challenges Faced By ISIL

3.1.4 Loss Of Territory and Income

      Since the United States had begin bombing campaign, ISIS had lost 25% of its territory. The successful retain of Sinjar have result in the division of the territory of ISIS and limited the access of ISIS to main supply route which is the highway. In 2014, ISIS received a total of 3000 new recruits and volunteers each day. This amount is more than ISIS can process at the stations of recruiting.

       ISIS is desperate for money. This is because of western bombings hit its oil fields where the extremist group generates its income. The oil is sold by ISIS from the lands it had seized in Syria and Iraq. This has become ISIS most important source to generate income. Previously, ISIS had been selling as high as 40, 000 barrels for each day which made the group generate 1 million dollar for every hour  (Thompson, 2015). 

3.1.5 France Jets Bomb ISIS Stronghold Of Raqqa, Syria

       The air force of France had carried out bombing missions towards ISIS targeting Raqqa, Syria. It was reported that France retaliated towards the terrorist’s attacks earlier in Paris that had sacrificed 129 people. The bombing mission happened in two days. On Monday, the France authorities had targeted the centre of command, storage base, recruitment centre as well as camps for training inside the city. The Interior Minister of France had declared “war” and stated that anyone who launch an attack towards the Republic, the Republic will fight back. (Ben Brumfield, 2015)

3.2 SIGNIFICANT OF NOVEMBER 2015 ATTACK IN PARIS BY ISIS

The series of coordinated terrorist attacks by ISIS spark quite number of speculations on the purpose and significant of the attack. However, the aim of the attack believed to be for the sake of promotion for recruitment purposes. First, countless pro-ISIS tweets appeared so suddenly and so systematically that one thinks at least some of them were pre-planned to be part of the terrorist effort, demonstrating how ISIS uses crowd-sourcing on social media. ISIS supporters flocked to social media to express their support for the group responsible for the Paris attack. Extremists on social media immediately rejoiced and attributed the attacks to ISIS, despite the international backlash condemning the attacks. This social media behaviour essentially created a Twitter storm, which is a frequent theme in ISIS media campaigns linked to major terrorist campaigns and which effectively exploit current grievances. (Jad Melki, 2016)

According to global security company and NBC News researcher Flashpoint Intelligence, ISIS assumed responsibility for the attacks in a tweet. France has been targeted by ISIS in the past as a result of its offensive actions against the organisation in Syria and Iraq. (Cassandra Vinograd, Nancy Ing, & Jason Cumming, 2015)

In a live address a day after the bombings, French President Francois Hollande promised to escalate airstrikes on ISIS targets in Syria. France had only carried out a few operations at the moment, often in Iraq. ISIS not only uses social media to spread its narratives, it also ensures that mass media reports of its terrorist activities can replicate them by justifying its violence through an imminent biblical prophecy and playing on Muslims' long-held grievances. (Jad Melki, 2016)

According to an unclassified FBI text, ISIS posted an undated video on Saturday urging Muslims who are unwilling to fight holy war in Syria to carry out attacks in France.

"Indeed, you have been ordered to fight the infidel wherever you find him," an unidentified ISIS militant says in the video. "What are you waiting for? There are weapons and cars available, and targets ready to be hit." (Cassandra Vinograd, Nancy Ing, & Jason Cumming, 2015)

 

3.3 FACTORS ON WHY THE ATTACKS TOOK PLACE.

          The Attack in Paris by ISIS in November 2015 was said happened based on few theories. First, ISIS is known as global jihadist so the attack is what they must do or fulfilled as a global jihadist and they cannot help themselves. The plan to attack was made long before the attack however, during that time ISIS was said did not have capability neither opportunity to do so then when they had the chance to attack, ISIS are already fully prepared as the plan has been made beforehand. Second, since The Islamic State loses its territorial in Syria and Iraq, ISIS has to launch this attack in Paris as a high-profile attacks abroad because it want to offset its territorial loses. By doing this, The Islamic State will appear great again among their members. The high-profile attacks abroad will become reminder to others especially to Al-Qaeda that this attack is a proof that shows ISIS is a leader of the global jihad which will put it in the position where nobody are more stronger than them. Third is by attacking large city such as Paris will become ‘A Warning’ for others to discourage them from carrying out more attacks against ISIS if they do not want to face such same situation as what happened in Paris.

 

3.4 IMPACTS AFTER THE ATTACKS

After the ISIS attack in 9^th November 2015, there have been changes in community of Paris. The ISIS attacks have brings great impact in terms of safety perceptions, policy preferences, community attitude towards immigrants and judgements towards political institutions. Terrorist attacks have different impacts for different groups as each of them faced different things in a society. As for threat perceptions, after the terrorist attack, there shows increase of number of people that suffered Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for both individuals whether directly or indirectly affected with the ISIS attacks. This is because most of them have developed fear that there is probability that the terrorist attack may happened again in the future, which leave them anxious. Therefore, the people view their national security is still at low as the cities were easily been attacked by terrorist at many places and need to be upgrade especially in large city. The society attitudes towards immigrants are different which in cities it is much stronger than in urban areas. This is because, terrorist attacks are mostly been made in large cities which made the community there give negative attitudes towards those immigrants. The hatred were directed towards immigrants especially those who have Islam as their religion begins to spread more and more in the society in Paris and the attitudes can still be seen  until these days. This is because Muslim is been view as terrorist and been regard as the same as ISIS.

 

3.5 RECOMMENDATION

3.5.1 Improving The Capabilities Of The Military And Police (Upgrade Defence System)

    This is the best strategies to curb and avoid the terrorism that was happened in Paris, France and the city's northern suburb, Saint-Denis. The November 2015 Attack In Paris By ISIS, could have occurred due to Operation Chammal that was operate in 19^th September 2014, which was practiced more emphatically in an effort to curb the expansion of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and to support the Iraqi Army. Where this system of Operation Chammal was directed by the President of France named François Gérard Georges Nicolas Hollande, he was so hostile to Islam. He worked diligently in various ways to abolish the development of Islam.  The November 2015 Attack In Paris By ISIS, the attack was happened where three suicide bombers struck outside the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, during an international football match, after failing to gain entry to the stadium. A group of other attackers then opened fire at crowded cafes and restaurants in Paris, with one of them also blowing himself up. This tragedy was happened on Friday 13 November 2015 in Paris, France and the city's northern suburb, Saint-Denis.  The attack has claimed the lives of many people who are Muslims. (Spiegel.de., 2021) (Armees, 2019)

    Therefore, Paris, France and the city’s northern suburb have to be able by upgrading their defence system by exercise in tracing the attack in modernization style. This system should be improved by upgrading the defence system from the traditional system towards a more modern system to control the terrorists who attack the country silently. The technology or known as a modern defence system should be established due to this modern era nowadays, the Ministry of Armed Forces or Ministry of Defence in Paris can enhance their defence system where they can terrace the enemy through virtually. In its context, they can analyse the probability that a terrorist attack will take place and the (conditional) probability that any particular target will be hit.  In the other hand the way to improving the capabilities, they need to always hone and train all military and police skills from time to time, maybe monthly training and so on. The Ministry of Defence in Paris, could be more scrutinized by devoting a large amount of resources to the development of a large, complex, expensive, offensive weapon system that has no rivals in the world and can prevent imaginable threats. Modernizing the Armed Forces of the Paris through acquisition of aircraft, sea craft and other essential equipment to enhance capabilities of the military.  In addition, the Ministry of Defence in Paris can develop a strong defence system by purchasing fighter jets, numerous bombs, complete and sufficient war equipment to keep the country safe. (Spiegel.de., 2021) (Armees, 2019)

 

3.5.2 Improve And Enhance The Borders Control

    As all people know, many of countries have introduced temporary controls at their borders. November 2015 Attack In Paris By ISIS, it can be happened because of Operation Chammal is a French military operations in Iraq and Syria in an effort to curb the expansion of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and to support the Iraqi Army. We can see here, the reason why the November 2015 Attack In Paris can be happened is because the President of French named François Hollande anti with the Muslims. This war happened because the wanted to kill all the Muslims. The way or solution to prevent free terrorists from entering their country. In Paris, we believe that, they have their own border controls. Improve and enhance the borders control are importantly in a country because it protecting our borders from the illegal movement of weapons, drugs, contraband and people, while promoting lawful entry and exit, is essential to homeland security, economic prosperity, and national sovereignty. (Spiegel.de., 2021) (Armees, 2019)

    Other than that, they can used the technology to enhance and fix the border management. Implement the new technology that more up-to-date, it is because if all people use the new technology, the details about the individual who entrance or exit in certain country will be recorded in effectively and accurately. This is make more easily to terrace the terrorist more systematically, effectively, efficiently, accurately and quickly. By using the new advancement of technology, to entering to the other country, it help the military and police to investigate the terrorist easily. The establishment of entry and exit registration system are one of the process that make all people easy to terrace the enemy nowadays. It is where the police or military will investigate the foreigner in fastest ways to detect the problems. In addition, controls also need by secure external borders to ensure the country can protect everyone from various forms of threats, which could threaten the lives of all human beings in their country. Through this way, the police and armed forces in Paris can control the movement of attacker by using the new tracker technology system to terrace the identity of terrorist.  (International, 2011) (Parliament, 2020) 

 

4.0 CONCLUSION

    In conclusion, the November 2015 Attack In Paris By ISIS is one of an act terrorism perpetrated on Friday, 13 November 2015 in Paris, France and the city's northern suburb, Saint-Denis at the beginning of 9:15pm. During an international football match, the attack was happened due to they were failing to enter the stadium to watch the matched.  In my point of view, I did not expect an attack like this can be happened during the football match, it can threaten many human lives and this attack can give a big impact till they consider Friday is unluckiest day to them. They consider that Friday is a day that gives a very painful event for them to go through in ancient times until now. The November 2015 Attack in Paris by ISIS can be happened because Operation Chammal. The November 2015 Attack in Paris by ISIS, they was trying to kill many people who are Muslims. Operation Chammal is one of the operation that operate since on 19^th September 2014, where French military operations efforts to curb the expansion of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and to support the Iraqi Army. My point of view, the president of France anti to Muslims. To sum up the paragraph, the attack can be curb, if all people in the country united in being responsible and tolerant in dealing with the problems of the war that took place there. The war that took place in the country of Paris had a huge impact on all the inhabitants of the country. Therefore, the security and defence systems need to be well strengthened to ensure that war does not happen again. (Spiegel.de., 2021) (Armees, 2019)

 

5.0 REFERENCES

Vinograd, C., Ing, N., & Cumming J. (2015). Paris Attacks: ISIS Claims Responsibility, France Vows 'Merciless' Response. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/paris-terror-attacks/paris-attacks-isis-claims-responsibility-france-vows-merciless-response-n463441

Melki, J. (2016). The Paris Attacks: Terror and Recruitment.  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336533091_The_Paris_Attacks_Terror_and_Recruitment

Ben Brumfield, T. L. (15 November, 2015). French jets bomb ISIS stronghold of Raqqa, Syria; few may have been killed. Retrieved from CNN World: https://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/16/middleeast/france-raqqa-airstrikes-on-isis/

Cruickshand, M. C. (19 November , 2015). Who was Abdelhamid Abaaoud, suspected ringleader of Paris attack? Retrieved from CNN World: https://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/16/europe/paris-terror-attack-mastermind-abdelhamid-abaaoud/index.html

Kouri, G. D. & Tziaferi, S. G. (2016). Case study: Paris Terrorist attack November 2015,. International Journal Of Occupation Health and Public Health Nursing 3 (2), 31-43.

Muro, D. (November, 2015). Why Did ISIS Target France? Retrieved from CIDOB: https://www.cidob.org/en/publications/publication_series/opinion/seguridad_y_politica_mundial/why_did_isis_target_france

Research, C. A. (4 November, 2020). 2015 Paris Terror Attacks Fast Facts. Retrieved from CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/08/europe/2015-paris-terror-attacks-fast-facts/index.html

Spellman, J. (March, 2016). Expansion And Declaration Of A Caliphate. Retrieved from Britannica:https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islamic-State-in-Iraq-and-the-Levant/Expansion-and-declaration-of-a-caliphate

Thompson, M. (13 December, 2015). US Bombing of ISIS Oil Facilities Showing Progress. Retrieved from Time: https://time.com/4145903/islamic-state-oil-syria/

Williams, Q. (2016). The Attacks On Paris : Lesson learned. Homeland Security Advisory Country, 1-32.

 

6.0 APPENDICES 

Figure 1 : A Picture Of Paris Map Where The Attacks Took Place

Figure 2 : A Picture Of Victims After The Attack

 

Figure 3 : Photos Of The Suspects Behind The Paris Attacks

Abu Sayyaf Guerillas In Dos Palmas Kidnapping

Abu Sayyaf Guerillas In Dos Palmas Kidnapping

DATE AND TIME PUBLISHED : 21/4/2021, 1.11 AM

WRITTEN BY : KAM2284D

 1. NOR NADIA BINTI AZMAN (2020899318)

2. INTAN NAZIFA BINTI JONID (2020899312)

3. SITI NAJIHA BINTI SHAIFUL NIZAM (2020862062)

4. MUHAMMAD ILHAM BIN MOHD AZHARI  (2020608314)

5. AZREEN SHAHIRA BINTI MD ASRI (2020483726)

TOPIC : ABU SAYYAF GUERILLAS IN DOS PALMAS KIDNAPPING

1.0 INTRODUCTION

 

Abu Sayyaf known as a terrorist group in East Asia Province is a Jihadist militant and pirate group that follows the Wahhabi doctrine of Sunni Islam. More than four decades, this group based in and around Jolo and Basilan islands in the southwestern part of the Philippines. Where more than four decades, Moro groups have been involved in insurgencies seeking to make Moro Province independent. The group is considered violent and responsible for the worst terrorist attack in the Philippines, the Superferry 14 bombing in 2004, which killed 116 people. The name of Abu Sayyaf is derived from Arabic word. In 2000, the group had 1250 members but by 2021 the number of these groups is estimated to have dropped to almost 80 members. They use mostly explosives, mortars and automatic rifles. (Banlaoi, 2021)

The Abu Sayyaf group has been established since 1989, the group has committed bombings, kidnappings, murders and extortion. They have also been involved in criminal activities, including rape, sexual assault of children, forced marriage, induced shootings and drug trafficking. The goals of the group "appear to have alternated over time between criminal objectives and a more ideological intent". (Banlaoi, 2021)

 

The group has been designated as a terrorist group by Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. Since 15^th January 2002 to 24^th February 2015, the Abu Sayyaf battle became an American military’s Operation Enduring Freedom mission and part of the global war on terror. There are several hundreds of soldier United States were stationed in the district to train local troops in counter-terrorism and counter-terrorism operations. But, after the treaty status of the troops and under Philippine law, they were not allowed to engage in direct combat. (Banlaoi, 2021)

 

This group was led by Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani. After his death in 1998, this group has been led by his younger brother Khadaffy Janjalani until his death in 2006. One of the group's leaders, swore an oath of loyalty to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on 23^rd July 2014. In September 2014, the group began kidnapping people for hostages, in the name of ISIL. (Banlaoi, 2021)

 

1.1 BACKGROUND AND HISTORY OF ABU SAYYAF GROUP

 

In the early 1970s, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was a major Muslim rebel group fighting in Basilan and Mindanao. Abdurajik Abubakar Janjalani, is an older brother of Khadaffy Janjalani, once a teacher from Basilan, who studied theology and Arabic in Libya, Syria and Saudi Arabia in the 1980s. The ASG aims to establish an independent Salafist Sunni Islamic state in the Mindanao region for the Filipino minority known as the Moros. This goal is shaped by the historical narrative of the “Bangsamoro” struggle, in which Filipino Muslims that concentrated in the southern Philippines where Muslim merchants arrived in the 1300s or earlier, they have long clashed with the Spanish, American, and Filipino The Abu Sayyaf Group aims to expel the Christian settlers who migrated to Mindanao from other regions in the Philippines such as Luzon and the Visayas. (Banlaoi, 2021) (Organizations, 2015)

 

Abdurajik Abubakar Janjalani went to Afghanistan to fight the Soviet Union and the Afghan government during the Soviet-Afghan War. During that period, he allegedly met Osama Bin Laden and was given 6 million to set up a more Muslim group taken from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). While studying the Iranian Revolution in 1988, Abdurajik Abubakar Janjalani reportedly met Osama bin Laden in Pakistan and may even have fought with him during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, after which Abdurajik Abubakar Janjalani expanded his mission to turn the southern Philippines into an Islamic state. Abu Sayyaf group has been influenced by the concept of Al-Qaeda. They were developing a reputation as the most violent Islamic separatist group in the Philippines. The establishment of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in 1989 as a response. Both Abdurajik Abubakar Janjalani and Khadaffy Janjalani are natives of Isabela City, one of the poorest cities in the Philippines. Located in the north-western part of Basilan, Isabela is the capital of the province. The city of Isabela is administered under the political territory of the Zamboanga Peninsula in the north of Basilan, while since 1996 the rest of the island region of Basilan has been ruled as part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the east. (Banlaoi, 2021) (Organizations, 2015)

 

2.0 THE INCIDENT OF DOS PALMAS KIDNAPPING BY ABU SAYYAF (WHAT, WHY, WHERE WHO OR HOW)

    The Dos Palmas kidnapping incident caused by Abu Sayyaf happened in 27^th May 2001. According to the hostage whom survived in the Dos Palmas abduction, Gracia Burnham, despite the religion talking the extremist’s motivation was money which the extremist group received throughout this abduction, ransom money. The incident took place in Philippines at a resort called Dos Palmas Beach Resort in Palawan, Philippines. Abu Sayyaf had kidnapped hostages which included local and foreign tourists. The hostages included from America were Martin Burnham and his wife, Gracia Burnham (Figure 1) as well as Guillermo Sobero. After awhile, they were brought to another place in Philippines called Lamitan, Basilan. This incident of kidnapping had provoked a large attention of military to operate in order to launch rescue operation to safe the hostages.

 

 The starting of the Dos Palmas incident according to a police investigation, the extremists, Abu Sayyaf, had arrived at Dos Palmas as early as 5:30 am in the morning. These extremists walked into the resort and barged towards floating cottages and abducted the guests from the nine floating cottages. The extremists then urged the hostages which consist of tourists and resort workers into speedboats which were called ‘Kumpit’. Initially the extremists abducted 23 people but 3 of them were freed immediately. The freed ones were identified as Peter Largo, Isagani Fortunado and Manuelita Mondia.(Philstar Global, 2001)

 

 In Basilan, the terrorist group, Abu Sayyaf decided to take control of a church and a hospital  known as ‘St. Peter’s Church’ and ‘Jose Torres Memorial Hospital’. Here, Abu Sayyaf abducted patients, nurses as well as doctors. The forces of government had surrounded the area and tried to fight the extremists with weapons such as machines gun fire. When it was dark enough, Abu Sayyaf escaped the hospital area with hostages in their hands. During this time, Abu Sayyaf’s strategy was to use human shields of children and gun fires. During this hectic moment, some of the hostages managed to escape. (Frances Mangosing, 2012)

 

  The foreign hostage, Guillermo Sobero was beheaded in June 2001. The beheaded activity was done in a ceremony of macabre according to sources where the incident took place. The leader of Abu Sayyaf, Khadafi Janjalani mentioned regarding macabre ceremony in a letter sent through one of the freed hostages. This activity of beheading hostages is also known as the ribbon cutting ceremony. (UAE, 2001)

 

   Continuous operations by the military against the extremist had resulted in the freedom of the hostages. However, quite a number of hostages didn’t make it and died while being abducted. Other hostages were reported to be released with a ransom money. Some of the hostages that were released were Reina Malonzo, Angie Montealegre, Sheila Tabunyag and Maria Fe Rosadeno from Dos Palmas Resort. According to an article by Alex young, Reina Malonzo was reported to be 3 months pregnant after being abducted 5 months ago (UAE, November 2001). According to Armed Forces Spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan, Malonzo was forced to married  Janjalani when she was kept as a hostage. Sources also mentioned Janjalani, the leader of the extremist took her as a wife to avoid being raped by Abu Sayyaf’s members.

 

The following year in 2002 which was after 1 year being abducted, an operation was taken in order to rescue the remaining hostages which were American tourist hostages, the Burnhams’ couple and a local hostage, Ediborah Yap which was a local nurse. The operation had been launched by Philippines’ Armed Forces or know as AFP. The armed forces received information which had indicated Abu Sayyaf moved the hostages to Zamboanga.  However, during this operation only Gracia Burnham survived with a bullet wound. Neither Ediborah Yap or Martin Burnham survived, they were both killed. A while after, one of the Abu Sayyaf leader, Abu Sabaya or known as Tilam got killed by the military in the Philippines.

 

3.0 REVIEW

3.1 CHALLENGES

3.1.1 INVOLVEMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE MILITARY TO FREE THE HOSTAGES.

The Dos Palmas kidnapping is a hostage crisis in the southern Philippines that began with the seizure of twenty hostages from the prosperous Dos Palmas Resort has led to the involvement of the Philippine military in an effort to free all the hostages. This effort has to some extent made the kidnapping and captivity work on the island more difficult. As a result of the efforts brought by the Philippine government has resulted in their soldiers being killed as many as 22 people by the Abu Sayyaf group. That number included the captain of the Philippine soldier. The involvement of the soldiers has caused them to be killed in a horrible way. Witnesses in Lamitan had described helicopters and infantry units pouring rockets and machine gun fire into the hospital and church compound as troops came under fire from rooftop snipers that killing up to 12 soldiers, including that army captain. Reports indicated twenty-two soldiers had been killed since the initial hostages were seized.

On August 2, 2001, suspected Abu Sayyaf militants captured 32 to 35 villagers in a raid on Balobo town in Lamitan, Basilan. However, on August 5, the Philippine Army rescued 13 of the Filipino hostages, including several children, after a gun battle with the Abu Sayyaf captors.An army spokesman stated the hostages were freed before dawn, when the soldiers stormed the militants' hideout outside the town of Isabela and that the guerrillas had beheaded around 11 hostages, while several others were either released or had escaped.

 

3.1.2 THE NUMBER OF THOSE TAKEN CAPTIVE VARIED GREATLY AS MORE HOSTAGES WERE SEIZED

The increase in the number of hostages taken by Abu Sayyaf while on the island of basilan has made it difficult for them to determine the number of hostages as well as keep the hostages from escaping when the island of basilan is seized. This case that take 1 year long time has cause Abu Sayyaf to be more careful to control the hostages and avoid the unwanted things to be happened. Therefore there may be hostages who may manage to escape and report what happened at the scene as well as give space to the Philippine government to do something.

 

3.1.3 THE CAPTIVES OF ABU SAYYAF ESCAPED.

When the fighting that took place in lamitan in which the Abu Sayyaf was involved had caused hardship to befall them. it happened because 5 hostages escaped during the crisis. Abu Sayyaf probably expected such a thing to happen so he had acted murderous by beheading them before the fight took place. So this action have gave difficulty to Abu Sayyaf. Furthermore the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has warned the Abu Sayyaf group to give themselves up or be killed, stating in a television broadcast, "We will finish off all the bandits if they don't surrender at the earliest possible time.

 

3.2 SIGNIFICANCE

 

Abu Sayyaf Group's actions such as kidnapping foreigners from two resorts in 2000 with the aim of Abu Sayyaf Group want to expand its operations to Malaysia. The actions taken by the Abu Sayyaf Group have been criticized by most Muslim leaders. It was responsible for the kidnapping and murder of more than 30 foreigners, Christian clerics and workers, including Martin and Gracia Burnham. (Banlaoi, 2021)

 

The Abu Sayyaf Group aims to establish an independent Salafist Sunni Islamic state in the Mindanao region for the Filipino minority known as the Moros. This goal is shaped by the historical narrative of the “Bangsamoro” struggle, in which Filipino Muslims concentrated in the southern Philippines, where Muslim traders arrived in the 1300s or earlier, they have long clashed with the Spanish, American, and Philippine rulers they believed has tried to suppress them. The Abu Sayyaf Group also aims to expel Christian settlers who migrated to Mindanao from other provinces in the Philippines such as Luzon and the Visayas. In the 1910s, these Christian settlers began migrating to the southern Philippines at the urging of the government, they now cover 75% of the territory. Abu Sayyaf Group goals are stated, organizations show signs of becoming more motivated by material gain than ideological struggle. (Organizations, 2015)

 

3.3 FACTORS OF THE KIDNAPPING ACTIVITIES

 

When Abdurajak Janjalani founded the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), his aim was to create a "highly structured, systematised, and disciplined organisation." The Islamic Executive Council (IEC) acts as the ASG's key planning and execution body, according to Janjalani's vision of a fully unified Islamic resistance movement.

The factor of the kidnapping activities by ASG is as a source of financing. As a source of revenue, ransoming hostages is extremely important to the ASG. The proceeds from the ASG's illegal activities were used to purchase powerful firearms and other critical equipment, enhancing the group's operational capabilities. It is also worth noting that this organisation stepped up its kidnapping game by expanding its operations beyond its usual territory and staging daring and profitable cross-border kidnappings.

To emphasise the group's original vision of establishing a "highly structured, systematic, and disciplined" organisation of Islamic fighters, Janjalani temporarily renamed the group Al-Harakatul Al-Islamiyah (AHAI) in 1994 to emphasise the group's original vision of establishing a "highly organised, systematic, and disciplined" organisation of Islamic fighters in order to obtain financial support from other terrorist groups in the Middle East. The AHA is also thought to have received financial assistance from the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO). In the 1990s, when Janjalani met Bin Laden in Peshawar, Pakistan, the ASG established relations with Al Qaeda. Janjalani also established relations with Al Qaeda's Ramzi Yousef and became close to him.

These terrorist attacks proved that the ASG is a legitimate terrorist organisation with a political and religious agenda that is capable of carrying out terrorist attacks outside of its usual operating area. (Allan Jones A. Salem, 2016)

 

3.4 IMPACTS

 

The kidnapping sparked a massive military operation that culminated in the deaths of many terrorists and hostages, as well as more kidnappings. The war on terrorism has changed the lives of Filipinos and put a strain on the government's resources. The Philippine government was faced with a number of obstacles and responses in the fight against terrorism. The Philippines has fought terrorism in a variety of ways over the years. It has retaliated militarily, convicted terrorists, prevented terrorist attacks, put in place protective measures, and discussed some of terrorism's causes.

The Philippines, under the Macapagal-Arroyo government, established a national strategy to fight terrorism in response to the need to ensure the safety of its people. It reaffirms its pledge to prevent, suppress, and fight all forms of terrorism in compliance with the UN charter, resolutions or declarations, and other related international laws as an active member of the UN. It will make every effort to work closely with the regional and international community, especially ASEAN, the US, and other allies, to enhance global cooperation in the fight against international terrorism.

The successful and efficient integration of actions and responses of the entire government machinery is critical to the implementation of the National Plan to Combat Terrorism. There is a need for inter-agency cooperation among the various departments and agencies, which necessitates defining areas of exclusivity, coordination, and alignment in order to ensure that efforts are coordinated. To mount an effective joint effort against terrorism, the Departments of National Defense (DND) and Interior and Local Government (DILG), as well as the Departments of Energy, Transportation and Communication, and Justice, should forge a critical connection with the National Security Adviser (NSA) Office. (Eusaquito P. Manalo, 2004)

According to the news reported by Manny Mogato in Reuters, for the abduction of 20 people from a luxury beach resort in 2001 and the decapitation of three of them, including an American, Manila court sentenced 14 members of a Muslim militant group to life in prison. (Manny Mogato (Reuters), 2007)

 

3.5 RECOMMENDATIONS

3.5.1 ADDRESS THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND IDEOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF TERRORISM

The Philippine government must study of the root causes of terrorism and determine appropriate responses to resolve, eliminate, or prevent the Abu Sayyaf militant uphold and manage to do the kidnapping of hostage and to prevent this cases happened again and again. The Philippine government should address the marginalization, injustices, political oppression, and other grievances of Filipino Muslims because these issues provide inspiration for others to commit violence. The strength and resilience of the Abu Sayyaf lies in the weakness of the government to adequately address these socioeconomic and political issues. Thus, it is important that the Philippine government take the issues into consideration and act accordingly to address the “fundamental political, economic, and social grievances” of Muslim Mindanao. To address the socioeconomic and political roots of terrorism is crucial for an effective counter-terrorism strategy because terrorism proves to be politically and ideologically motivated.

 

3.5.2 ENHANCE AND UPGRADE THE CAPABILITIES OF THE MILITARY AND POLICE

Enhance and upgrade the current capabilities of the military and police to meet the current demand and challenges of the overall anti-terrorism effort of the government. Technological advances could help a lot in this effort. The Philippine government must pursue and continue the Armed Forces Of The Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program. Although these upgrades are primarily intended for territorial defense, the acquisition of the latest military hardware and equipment can also be crucial in counter-terrorism operations. Delfin Lorenzana, the secretary of the Department of National Defense, points out that he will continue modernizing the AFP through acquisition of aircraft, sea craft, and other essential equipment to enhance the capabilities of the military. If these AFP program had be done before the crisis kidnapping in Dol Palmas maybe the numbers death of soldier can be reduce. That crisis is showing that the capabilities of Philippine Military not hit the expectation because their captain on that time has been a victim of Abu Sayyaf.

 

3.5.3 Enhancement of Border Cooperation

 The Philippines must strengthen its border crossing and border patrol arrangements with its neighbour countries in the south, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia. To control movement of terrorists and criminals along the borders in the south, it requires responsive and appropriate border procedures and countermeasures. Joint and coordinated border security patrols with regional partners along with sharing of information are crucial to prevent movement of both individuals and funds that have links with terrorist and criminal activities. There should be more responsive and regular exchanges at the operational level, and those more extensive linkages should be developed among multilateral agencies of each country operating in the border areas. So, Abu Sayyaf will probably find it more difficult to enter the territory of the Philippines and commit such kidnappings.

 

CONCLUSION

 Among the conclusions that can be drawn from this incident is that, Abu Sayyaf is nothing more than a criminal who use extreme violence in order to achieve their goals. Their actions is totally contradict with their claim whereas to promote independent of Islamic State in Western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago as Abu Sayyaf group allowing ridiculous actions such as kidnapping for ransom, bombing, assassination and so on in the name of jihad. As for the Dos Palmas incident, The Philippines must act much more aggressive with this group so that, the government will not be looked down by them and won’t have to deal with the same incident again in the future. In dealing with the terrorism, Philippines must determine appropriate responses to resolve, eliminate, or prevent the Abu Sayyaf militant from causes threats to others ever again. The terrorist threat posed by Abu Sayyaf can effectively be fought back as long as there is cooperation from others sectors

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX

 

                                          Figure 1 : Martin Burnham and Gracia Burnham   

                           

             Figure 2 : The Burnhams with the extremist

                          

 

 

REFERENCES

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Barbara Mae Dacanay and Raffy Jimenez. (2019, July 25). Sobero beheaded in macabre ceremony. Retrieved April 18, 2021, from https://gulfnews.com/uae/sobero-beheaded-in-macabre-ceremony-1.419536

Christina Mendez, P. (n.d.). Sayyaf rebels SEIZE 20 from PALAWAN RESORT. Retrieved April 18, 2021, from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2001/05/28/90809/sayyaf-rebels-seize-20-palawan-resort

Eusaquito, P. M. (2004). The Philippine Response to Terrorism: The Abu Sayyaf Group. Naval Postgraduate School.  https://fas.org/irp/world/para/manalo.pdf 

Gomez, J. (2002, June 14). Filipino hostage Nurse Buried. Retrieved April 18, 2021, from https://apnews.com/article/a4b87f61c79254f05f606583352ea113

Mangosing, Frances. “2 Suspected Abu Sayyaf in Dos Palmas Kidnapping Nabbed.” INQUIRER.net, 13 Sept. 2012, from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/269762/2-suspected-abu-sayyaf-in-dos-palmas-kidnapping-nabbed

Manny, M. (2007). Philippine Muslim rebels jailed for kidnap, beheading. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-abusayyaf-verdict-idUSMAN13506520071206 

“Gunmen Kidnap 20 from Philippine Resort.” IOL, 27 May 2001, www.iol.co.za/amp/news/world/gunmen-kidnap-20-from-philippine-resort-67094.

Rescue raid ends in hostage deaths. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2021, from http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/06/07/phil.hostages/index.html

Salem, A. J. A. (2016). Nexus of crime and terrorism: the case of the Abu Sayyaf Group. Naval Postgraduate School. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/81223385.pdf 

Young, A. (2019, July 25). Former Abu Sayyaf hostage PREGNANT. Retrieved April 18, 2021, from https://gulfnews.com/uae/former-abu-sayyaf-hostage-pregnant-1.429518