Authorities Prevent ISIS-Linked Aspirations and Planned Mosque Attacks

Singaporean authorities have intervened in two separate cases involving self-radicalised teenagers, preventing potential extremist actions. A 15-year-old girl, influenced by ISIS propaganda, has been placed under a restriction order, while a 17-year-old boy, radicalised by far-right ideology, was detained for planning attacks on mosques.

15-Year-Old Girl’s ISIS Allegiance
The girl, issued with a restriction order in February, is the first female youth to face such action under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Her radicalisation began in June 2023 through exposure to ISIS materials online. Within weeks, she pledged allegiance to the group’s former leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, via an online chatbot.

Believing ISIS to be a legitimate force defending Muslims, she supported violent jihad and sought to marry an ISIS fighter. Between September 2023 and April 2024, she searched for flights to Syria, hoping to join the group. She engaged in at least eight online relationships with ISIS supporters, including a purported fighter based in Syria.

Although her primary goal was to raise a family aligned with ISIS ideology, she was also willing to fight as a mujahideen. Inspired by videos of female ISIS combatants, she aspired to die as a martyr. She shared extremist content with schoolmates, but they did not report her activities.

17-Year-Old Boy’s Mosque Attack Plans
Separately, a 17-year-old boy was detained in March after authorities discovered his plot to carry out mass shootings at mosques. His radicalisation began in 2022 after encountering Islamophobic and far-right extremist content online. Identifying as an “East Asian supremacist,” he held racist beliefs that elevated Han Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese above Malays and Indians.

In late 2023, he idolised Brenton Tarrant, the perpetrator of the 2019 Christchurch attacks. He derived satisfaction from watching footage of the massacre and sought to replicate it in Singapore.

By early 2024, he had identified five mosques as potential targets, prioritising Masjid Maarof in Jurong West. His plan involved opening fire on worshippers after Friday prayers, aiming to kill at least 100 people to surpass Tarrant’s attack. He intended to live-stream the shooting and commit suicide before police intervention.

Failed Attempts to Acquire Weapons
Between February and April 2024, the boy made multiple unsuccessful attempts to acquire firearms. He explored 3D-printing gun parts, attempted to source a Glock 19 pistol from overseas, and considered smuggling weapons from Malaysia or Thailand. He also researched shooting ranges in the U.S. to train in firearm handling.

Authorities arrested him before he could execute his plans. His parents, aware of his anti-Muslim sentiments and excessive online activity, did not seek intervention.

Government Response and Public Awareness
Speaking at Masjid Maarof, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam emphasised the need for vigilance, stating, “Authorities must prevent every attack. Perpetrators only need to succeed once.”

Singaporeans are encouraged to report any signs of radicalisation to the Internal Security Department (ISD) via the hotline 1800-2626-473.