Although HTS has shown progress heading to moderate, the BNPT believes that vigilance must be increased to prevent the spread of radical ideology in Indonesia, BNPT's Director of Bilateral Cooperation, Brigadier General Kris Erlangga Aji Widjaya, remarked.
"They are transforming to be more moderate, similar to what happened with the Taliban in Afghanistan," Widjaya noted in a statement from his office on Wednesday.
He pointed out that one of the HTS-affiliated groups, Jabhat al-Nusra, is linked to al-Qaeda and is still on the United Nations (UN) global terrorism list.
Widjaya stated that the group is also included in the List of Suspected Terrorists and Terrorist Organizations (DTTOT) in Indonesia.
He emphasized that preventive measures are key to dealing with changes in group dynamics.
Furthermore, he highlighted that the government continues to monitor situations in Syria while seeking protection for Indonesian citizens in the country.
Data from the Foreign Affairs Ministry showed that over one thousand Indonesian citizens live in Syria.
"Around 67 people were evacuated, and 84 are still awaiting evacuation. This number is far from the one thousand people in Syria," he noted.
On the other hand, Widjaya drew attention to several positive developments in Syria, such as improvement in the economy and the resumption of public facilities.
However, he emphasized the importance of a wait-and-see approach while continuing to focus on protection and monitoring efforts.
"The Indonesian government is still monitoring the development in Syria while also calling on the transitional government and factions to immediately restore the situation, build its economy, and become an inclusive country that respects human rights," he affirmed.
With a proactive approach and international cooperation, the BNPT continues to maintain domestic security while protecting the interests of Indonesian citizens amid the dynamic challenges of global terrorism, Widjaya concluded.
Translator: Agatha Olivia, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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