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https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/poli...s-indonesia-malaysia-call-more-violence-after
Indonesian supporters of Islamic State (Isis) are calling for more attacks after a newlywed couple carried out a suicide bombing at a cathedral in South Sulawesi on Sunday, during what is considered a holy period for Christians and Muslims – while counterterrorism police on Monday discovered five home-made bombs during raids in Jakarta and West Java.
The Indonesian couple – who were married six months ago – were the only casualties in the Makassar city bombing that left 20 people wounded and was attributed to Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), the largest Isis-linked group in the country.
Police said the couple, who were both members of the group, were killed instantly after they rode a motorcycle into the church compound and detonated a bomb packed with nails after being challenged by security. The authorities added that the husband had left a suicide note to say he was ready to die a martyr, while local media on Tuesday reported that the woman was four months pregnant.
The March 28 attack – which took place on Palm Sunday, a week before the Christian holiday of Easter, and during the Muslim holy month of Sya’aban that comes before the fasting month of Ramadan – has placed security forces and analysts on high alert for signs of more violence.
Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, periodically suffers from terror attacks. There is a tradition of such attacks in the run-up to Ramadan, which begins in mid-April this year; these include several attacks in 2000, the Surabaya church bombings in 2018, and an attempted suicide bombing at a Jakarta police station in 2019.
Indonesian supporters of Islamic State (Isis) are calling for more attacks after a newlywed couple carried out a suicide bombing at a cathedral in South Sulawesi on Sunday, during what is considered a holy period for Christians and Muslims – while counterterrorism police on Monday discovered five home-made bombs during raids in Jakarta and West Java.
The Indonesian couple – who were married six months ago – were the only casualties in the Makassar city bombing that left 20 people wounded and was attributed to Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), the largest Isis-linked group in the country.
Police said the couple, who were both members of the group, were killed instantly after they rode a motorcycle into the church compound and detonated a bomb packed with nails after being challenged by security. The authorities added that the husband had left a suicide note to say he was ready to die a martyr, while local media on Tuesday reported that the woman was four months pregnant.
The March 28 attack – which took place on Palm Sunday, a week before the Christian holiday of Easter, and during the Muslim holy month of Sya’aban that comes before the fasting month of Ramadan – has placed security forces and analysts on high alert for signs of more violence.
Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, periodically suffers from terror attacks. There is a tradition of such attacks in the run-up to Ramadan, which begins in mid-April this year; these include several attacks in 2000, the Surabaya church bombings in 2018, and an attempted suicide bombing at a Jakarta police station in 2019.
