Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)

Based on Information provided by: National Security Australia
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Other Names

Jemm'ah Islaamiyah
Jemaah Islamiyya
Jemaah Islamiah

Description

Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) is a Sunni Islamic extremist organisation, the stated goal of which is to create an Islamic state encompassing Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Mindanao in the Southern Philippines.

JI evolved from the long-established Indonesian 'Darul Islam' movement which had promoted the establishment of an Islamic state in Indonesia under rule of Sharia law.

Activities

JI was identified as a threat to regional security in December 2001 when Singaporean authorities arrested and detained 13 JI members under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for terrorism-related activities. These attacks were in relation to planned attacks against the US, UK, Australian and Israeli interests in Singapore.

The following terrorist activity has been attributed to JI:

• an attempted assassination of the Philippino Ambassador to Indonesia on August 1, 2000, which killed two people and seriously injured the Ambassador;
• a series of bomb attacks on churches in Jakarta, Sumatra, Lombok, Java and Batam Island on 24 December 2000. At least 14 people were killed in these attacks and as many as 100 injured;
• plans to mount multiple suicide bomb attacks against Western embassies, businesses and military bases in Singapore. Singaporean authorities disrupted these planned attacks in December 2001. A total of 34 Singapore-based members of JI have been arrested; and
• the 12 October 2002 Bali attacks in which 202 were killed, including 88 Australians.

JI has a history of demonstrated involvement in terrorism across a number of countries, and some members whom remain at large are known to have received training and funds from JI to conduct operational activities.

Intelligence agencies assess that JI continues to engage in planning for acts of violence with a view to furthering its political, religious and ideological objectives.

Strength

5000 to 6000 (Estimated)

Location/Area of Operation

South East Asian Region - including Australia

External Aid

JI receives support throughout the S.E. Ausian region (including Australia) and is identified by intelligence agencies as having significant links with al Qaida. Indonesian JI leader, Riduan bin Isamuddin, better known as Hambali, fought with the Mujahideen in the war against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan during the 1980s. Hambali is also known to have assisted al Qaida terrorist operatives and has made arrangements for JI members to travel to Afghanistan to receive training at camps that also provided training to al Qaida recruits.