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Experts say a Southeast Asian terrorism network has expanded itsinfluence in Central Sulawesi amid escalating violence during thepast month. A new report from the International Crisis Group says terroristcells are behind attacks against Christians in central Sulawesiduring the past three years. Those attacks were previously thought to be an extension of localsectarian violence between Muslims and Christians that has plaguedthe area since 2001. But research by the Brussels-based policyinstitute shows that the attacks were engineered by the regionalterror network, Jemaah Islamiah, as part of its agenda to escalatereligious conflict. Jemaah Islamiah is connected to bombings in Indonesia, includingblasts in Bali in 2002 that killed 202 people. The report warns the Sulawesi violence could spread. Anger atpolice raids this month could radicalize militants who havepreviously opposed attacks on Western targets, boosting Indonesia'sweakened militant movement, says Sidney Jones, director of theCrisis Group's Jakarta office. "The problem now is, and it is a real serious danger, is that thejihad in the Poso area that has up till now been primarily focusedon revenge against local Christians will in fact turn into a jihadagainst the police, and that is what needs to be avoided at allcosts," said Jones. A January 11 raid on militant hideouts in Central Sulawesi provincecaused an influx of mujahedin fighters to help defend remainingmembers of Jemaah Islamiah. Fifteen people were killed in athree-hour shootout on Monday in Poso, the provincial capital. The raids were aimed at capturing 20 key militant leaders placed ona most wanted list in May 2006. In the report, Sidney Jones calls for the Indonesian government tomove quickly to calm rising tensions. She questions whether policeused excessive force in the raid on Monday. "Well I think the government has to move extremely quickly to bothexplain why these individuals were wanted, exactly what they haddone, but then I also think it is important that they investigatethe way the operations were conducted so that the anger against thepolice is at least addressed and people can see through anindependent investigation whether additional measures could havebeen taken to prevent these casualties or not," said Jones. Central Sulawesi remains scarred by sectarian conflicts betweenMuslims and Christians that have killed more than 1,000 peoplesince 2001. Most Indonesians are Muslim, but about half of the population inPoso is Christian. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as PVC Binding Cover , China Roll Laminating Film for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Laminating Pouch Film.
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