TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of Indonesian combatants of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have reportedly returned home, said Agus Surya Bhakti, deputy head of prevention, protection and deradicalization at the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), Friday.
Their return was due to disappointment over the war condition that was completely different from the concept of war in Islam. "They realized that they were fighting other Muslims."
Agus refused to reveal the exact number and identities of the returned combatants, as well as the story of their homecoming. The BNPT is currently focusing on the counter-radicalism programs against people who declared supports to ISIS, he said.
The dissemination of ISIS ideology had encouraged 56 Indonesians to join combatants in Iraq and Syria, based on a data from the BNPT. Four of them died, including a suicide bomber. "They were interested in joining [ISIS] for US$1,500," said Agus.
RIKY FERDIANTO
