Suicide bomber attack on a church in Makassar, South Sulawesi on March marks the existence of terrorism movement in Indonesia. This attack show that terror group remain active in whole area of the nation. The involvement a female in latest attack added significant mark on this tragedy.

In addition, following attack to police headquarter in Jakarta on March was evident on the force of terrorism in Indonesia. Even though terror action in Indonesian capital caused no victim other than female attacker, the incident made nation shaken. This attack symbolizes of the power of terrorist groups.

The article analyses international factor in terrorist movement in the country. Firstly, impact of Islamic radical ideology in Indonesian terrorist group. Secondly, the role of digital platform including media social on strength of terrorist group. Thirdly, impact of international terrorist organization on local movement. 

Impact of Radical Islamic Ideology

The spread of radical Islamic ideologies from abroad has significantly influenced terrorist groups in Indonesia. Wahhabism and Salafism, originating from the Middle East, have played a crucial role in shaping the extremist mindset of Indonesian terrorist organizations. These ideologies promote a strict, literalist interpretation of Islam and often justify violence against those deemed as enemies of the faith.Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), one of Indonesia’s most notorious terrorist groups, exemplifies this influence. JI’s leaders, Abu Bakar Bashir and Abdullah Sungkar, promoted a version of Islam heavily influenced by groups like al-Qaeda.

They argued that Muslims must apply Islamic principles to all areas of life, including government, and advocated for the forcible imposition of sharia law through violence.The impact of these imported ideologies is evident in JI’s goals and methods. The group sought to establish an Islamic state in Indonesia and implement sharia, mirroring the objectives of international jihadist movements. This ideological alignment facilitated connections between Indonesian extremists and global terrorist networks, particularly al-Qaeda.

The Role of Digital Platforms and Social Media

The advent of digital technologies and social media has provided terrorist groups with powerful tools for recruitment, propaganda dissemination, and operational planning. Indonesian extremist groups have leveraged these platforms to expand their reach and influence, particularly among the youth.Social media has become an “incubator” for youth terrorism in Indonesia.

Terrorist groups use these platforms to provide anxiety narratives and offer roles for teenagers to contribute through the path of jihad. The characteristics of adolescents, who are often seeking self-value and are highly engaged with social media, make them particularly vulnerable to online radicalization.

The Islamic State (IS) demonstrated the potency of social media as a tool for terrorist recruitment and propaganda. When IS declared a caliphate in 2014, it had a significant impact on Indonesian jihadist networks. Over a thousand Indonesians attempted to travel to Syria and Iraq, while those who couldn’t were encouraged to stage operations at home. This online-driven resurgence led to a series of IS-inspired attacks in Indonesia from 2016 onwards.

Impact of International Terrorist Organizations

International terrorist organizations have played a significant role in shaping and supporting local movements in Indonesia. Al-Qaeda, in particular, has had a lasting impact on the country’s terrorist landscape.For more than a decade, Al-Qaeda penetrated the region by establishing local cells, training Southeast Asians in its camps in Afghanistan, and financing and cooperating with indigenous radical Islamist groups. This support provided Indonesian terrorists with training, resources, and a global network.Jemaah Islamiyah, often described as a “mini-Al-Qaeda,” emerged as a semi-autonomous regional arm of Al-Qaeda. This relationship facilitated the transfer of tactics, techniques, and ideologies. JI members received training in Al-Qaeda camps and adopted the organization’s focus on attacking Western targets.

The influence of international terrorist groups extends beyond operational support. The success of groups like the Taliban can provide psychological boosts to local extremists. The recent Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, for instance, appears to have sent a psychological boost to militant groups in Indonesia during a period of downturn

In conclusion, while Indonesian terrorist movements have deep indigenous roots, international factors have significantly shaped their ideology, methods, and organizational structures. The interplay between global radical ideologies, modern communication technologies, and transnational terrorist networks has created a complex and evolving threat landscape in Indonesia. Addressing this threat requires a nuanced understanding of both local contexts and global dynamics.

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