Front Pembela Islam (FPI) (Indonesia), GROUPS - ASIA - ACTIVE

Overview
The FPI exists more as a destabilising influence in Indonesia than a serious security threat owing to its lack of conventional weaponry and limited number of paramilitary members. It has specifically rejected terrorism but factions and individuals within it can still be attracted to terrorist organisations. For example, Al-Qaeda in Aceh - which emerged in February 2010 - included members from the FPI, as well as Darul Islam (DI), Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT), Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), and Mujahidin KOMPAK. The FPI has been largely inactive in recent years, but on 12 September 2010 members of the group were implicated in an attack on two senior members of a Protestant church in West Java. Also, on 12 December, members of the FPI and the associated Gerakan Reformis Islam (Garis), or Islamic Reform Movement, staged a protest and expelled over 100 members of a Protestant church in Central Java from their religious complex.

Targets, tactics and methodology
Evolving from its role as a vigilante group, FPI's activities have tended to concentrate on raids, particularly, but by no means exclusively, in Jakarta, where it has targeted bars, pool halls, nightclubs and areas where it claims prostitution and gambling are common. The group relies upon intimidation to achieve its goals, sometimes rallying large numbers of members outside a venue and threatening to burn it down unless the proprietor adheres to their demands. Members frequently storm entertainment venues with little or no warning, including areas popularly associated with young, foreign, budget travellers. In addition to tearing down posters and signs depicting activities of which it disapproves, the group damages property and has assaulted bystanders or perpetrators they accuse of 'unclean' acts. FPI attacks generally peak during the period leading up to and during the month of Ramadan. In the past through co-ordinated attacks on venues, rallies and sit-ins, the group has succeeded in having by-laws that allow entertainment centres to operate under limited hours during Ramadan revoked. A typical FPI attack involves a group of young men dressed in white, Arab-style clothes, and armed with machetes, long knives, and sticks. FPI does not possess firearms. Since the US-led offensive in Afghanistan in late 2001, the group has demanded the Indonesian government sever diplomatic ties with Washington and has threatened to undertake actions to drive all US citizens out of Indonesia. FPI members were among the numerous groups involved in protests outside the US embassy in February 2005 over the issue

The complete article appears in the following publication:
Publication Title	Jane's World Insurgency and Terrorism
Publication date	Jan 19, 2012
Section	GROUPS - ASIA - ACTIVE
Publication synopsis	Jane's World Insurgency and Terrorism profiles every significant terrorist and insurgent movement worldwide with 'at-a-glance' summaries of threat levels, status, founding date, aims and objectives, and leadership. In-depth threat analyses focus on recent attacks, claims of responsibility, targeting and tactics, personnel and recruitment, operational preparedness and limiting factors. The portfolio of profiles for active groups is deepened as new groups emerge to provide the greatest level of coverage and analysis possible. Regular updates of the most active groups allow you to keep track of terrorist activity globally and ensure that notable shifts in doctrine, leadership and capabilities are captured.
In addition to a detailed threat assessment, group profiles also address	Sources of funding Alliances Sources of weapons Organisation and command structure Political and religious affiliation Propaganda techniques Leader biographies Overview of campaign
Different sections provide in-depth detail covering	Groups - Africa - Active Groups - Africa - Dormant Groups - Americas - Active Groups - Americas - Dormant Groups - Asia - Active Groups - Asia - Dormant Groups - Europe - Active Groups - Europe - Dormant Groups - International - Active Groups - Middle East - Active Groups - Middle East - Dormant

You may purchase a full subscription to this service through the Jane’s Online Catalogue.

About Jane’s
With more than 100 years of experience, Jane’s, an IHS company, holds an unrivalled reputation for the reliability, accuracy and impartiality of our information and advice, trusted and relied upon by business, government and military decision-makers worldwide.

In the specialist fields of defence, security, public safety, transport and law enforcement, Jane’s intelligence is a ‘must have’ resource for our clients, who can trust our intelligence over that from any other open source.

© 2009 Jane's Information Group. All rights reserved | Terms of use | Jane's Privacy Policy