Return of IS fighters likely to rejuvenate terrorism in Indonesia: expert

Extreme jihadists returning from fighting in Iraq and Syria could spark more terrorism activities in Indonesia, according to one of the leading experts on Southeast Asian extremist groups.

Sidney Jones, head of the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict, told a Sydney conference that young Indonesian extremists who have experienced life with groups such as the Islamic State (IS) could cause threats in the region.

Extremists groups in Indonesia have pledged allegiance to the IS and a small but significant number of Indonesians have joined the ranks of foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq, Jones said.

Speaking at the Lowy Institute on Tuesday night, Jones said Indonesian authorities had successfully detained jihadist groups and the extremist movement had become weakened.

However the recent IS campaigns could spark more jihadist violence in Indonesian and Southeast Asia.

"We're all concerned that with probably close to 200 fighters or supporting personnel in Syria or Iraq from Indonesia that we could see a real boost to the terrorist movement if they return," she said.

"The danger is that people coming back from Syria will have the combat experience. They'll have the deepened ideological commitment. They'll have weapons training. They'll have international connections and most importantly they'll have legitimacy that could provide leadership for the terrorism network. " Endi