Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), at its existence, renowned for having loose coordination despite its complexity of their structure and rank. Although the networks penetrate into district and sub-district levels, they are loosely coordinated, and often there are cases of fragmentation. Among many of its branches, there was a branch renowned for its extremism, FPI Lamongan branch (FPI Lamongan), which has linked and strong relationship with Dr. Azahari and Noordin M. Top, both Malaysian terrorist kingpin.
Zainal Anshori, then National Leader of JAD, was head of FPI Lamongan of 2005–2008 period. He was appointed by Muhammad Rizieq Shihab himself to lead FPI Lamongan. Prior the appointment, he was renowned as Islamic activist that moved independently to commit sweepings with his group, against undesirables and un-Islamic elements. Since then, FPI Lamongan actively committed sweepings . However, all changed when the branch involved with Jamaah Islamiyah, and subsequent contact with Aman Abdurrahman [id], an Islamic militant, along with the death of Dr. Azahari and Noordin M. Top. Start from there FPI Lamongan shifted away to Islamic extremism.[11] Affected with Islamic extremism ideology, FPI Lamongan used extreme approach of imposing the Islamic doctrine of amr ma'ruf nahy munkar (enjoining good and forbidding wrong). They also often to use excessive force. On 10 August 2008, Muhammad Rizieq Shihab personally warned FPI Lamongan, following a brutal attack against an alcohol seller during a sweeping.[12] Due to its extreme way and acts, FPI Lamongan was disavowed by central leadership of FPI on request of East Java Regional FPI around 2010. Despite that, the sympathizers remain exist, and in 2013 the sympathizers of the disavowed branch clashed with Lamongan locals in a clash.[13][14]
In his confession made 9 February 2021, Zainal Anshori stated that the seed of what will be JAD had come into being during this period. The element that subsequently evolved into JAD was integrated during his leadership of FPI Lamongan on 2005.[15] What happened to this element after FPI Lamongan being disavowed is unclear.
2014–2018: Becoming JAD and active as organization
Aman Abdurrahman was recaptured by law enforcement for his involvement on training JAT terrorists in Jantho (Aceh) in 2010 and assisting escape of Dulmatin, one of the 2002 Bali bombings perpetrator with Azahari and Noordin. Soon after announcement of formation of ISIL by Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, he pledged his allegiance to him in June 2014 during his incarceration at Kembang Kuning Detention House, Nusakambangan Island. He later drafted a concept of organization that will support ISIS in Indonesia. Sometime later Zainal Anshori and Marwan visited him. In November 2014, JAD formed followed a majlis ta'lim in Batu.[16] In that majlis ta'lim, Aman Abdurrahman become the Spiritual Leader of the group, Marwan become the National Emir, Zainal Anshori become the Emir of East Java, others have each specific posts established.[17]
On 21 June 2018, Joko Widodo signed Law No. 5 of 2018, as amendment of Law No. 15 of 2003 (Law on Anti-Terrorism Acts). The law granted much sweeping powers for law enforcement to capture terrorists and suspected terrorists.[18] With the new law, even membership of announced terrorist organization enough to capture its member.[19]
On 31 July 2018, a South Jakarta court made a ruling. The ruling, known as South Jakarta District Court Ruling No. 809/Pid.Sus/2018/PN JKT.SEL outlawed the organization, allowing the arrest of all its members and organizers.[20][21]
Even after disbandment, JAD still active clandestinely. After the disbandment, 2019 Medan suicide bombing, 2020 South Daha attack, and 2021 Makassar cathedral bombing happened. Aside the attacks, Two members of the JAD were believed to have conducted the knife assault on security minister Wiranto on 10 October 2019, which resulted in Wiranto being hospitalized. Three other people, including a policeman, were stabbed and injured.[22]
It is still difficult to weed out JAD members, due to each cell of JAD are autonomous and do not have commanding figures and chain of command. Even each cell may not know each other. Due to being autonomous and have widespread presence across the country, the multiple attacks by JAD cells may happened in nearly same time, or even triggering domino effect which triggered with one act of one cell may happened.[23][24]
On 7 December 2022, Astana Anyar bombing – at around 8:20 AM Western Indonesia Time (UTC+7), a suicide bombing incident occurred at an Indonesian National Police station in Astana Anyar district, Bandung, West Java. The attacker and one police officer were killed by the explosion, while 11 people were injured including 3 police officers.Identity of the perpetrator and his affiliation subsequently released by the Police 6 hours after the attack. Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Chief of the Indonesian National Police, released that the perpetrator was affiliated to the JAD Bandung branch.[25][26][27]
Known elements
JAD actually a name of umbrella organization of 24 groups that pledged allegiance to the caliph of ISIL,[10][28] but likely more than 24. These groups are.[29][30][31][32]
Jamaah Tauhid wal-Jihad (Congregation of Oneness and Jihad).
Majmu’ah al-Arkhabiliy (Archipelagian Groups), also was known as Katibah Nusantara Lid Daulah Islamiyah.[33] This group is not operated in Indonesia, but rather a JAD branch operated in Northern Syria regions and made up by Indonesian, Malaysian, and Filipino members.[29][33]
Katibah Al - Iman.
Forum Pendukung Daulah Islamiyah (Daulah Islamiyah Supporter Forum).
Forum Aktivis Syariat Islam (Islamic Sharia Activists Forum), or FAKSI.
Gerakan Mahasiswa untuk Syariat Islam (Student Movement for Islamic Sharia), or Gema Salam.
Pendukung dan Pembela Daulah (Supporters and Defenders of the Daulah), or PPD.
Gerakan Reformasi Islam (Islamic Reformation Movement).
Asybal Tauhid Indonesia.
Kongres Umat Islam Bekasi (Bekasi Congress of Islamic Umma).
Ikhwan Muwahid Indunisy (Brotherhood of the Monotheists Indonesia).
Jazirah Al-Mulk Ambon (Peninsular Land of Kingdoms Ambon).
Gerakan Ansharul Khilafah Jawa Timur (Saviors of Caliphate Movement East Java).
Halawi Makmun Group.
Gerakan Tauhid Lamongan (Lamongan Tawhid Movement).
Khilafatul Muslimin Indonesia (not to be confused with organization with the same name, Khilafatul Muslimin)
Umat Islam Nusantara (Nusantara Islamic Umma).
Leadership structure
According to Dedy Tabrani (researcher from Indonesian Police College) and Aly Ashgor (researcher of Bhayangkara University), JAD leadership structure is as follows.[37]
Office of the Spiritual Leader of JAD
Office of the National Emirate of JAD
Office of the Secretary of JAD
Office of the Treasurer of JAD
Lajnah Tarbiyah (Education Institute, education and research wing of JAD)
Dauroh Manhaj (Ideological Training) Wing
Publishing Wing
Division of Information and Information Technology
Mas'ul-ate of Kalimantan (operated across Kalimantan Island)
Mas'ul-ate of Sulawesi (operated across Sulawesi Island)
Mas'ul-ate of Ambon (operated across Eastern Indonesia)
Smaller sub-Mas'ul-ates ("Branches") may present in each Mas'ul-ate, however their establishment much independent and instantaneous, not under JAD central leadership direction. Any group present in a city that become sub-Mas'ul-ate may pledge themselves as part of JAD. Despite that, coordination between JAD branches to their respective Mas'ul-ate existed to some degree.[37]
Key people
Several people already identified as key people of JAD.[37]
Aman Abdurrahman: conceptor and spiritual leader, currently incarcerated.
Marwan (nom de guerre: Abu Musa): national leader/Emir of JAD in 2014. Reported to go to Syria several weeks after becoming the Emir.
Zainal Anshori: Emir of JAD East Java and subsequent national leader/Emir of JAD from 2014 until its disbandment. Currently incarcerated.
Saiful Munthohir (nom de guerre: Abu Gar): Emir of JAD Ambon and head of Asykari Paramilitary Division, armed wing of JAD. Currently incarcerated.
^Johnson, Kirk A. (2016). The longue duree: Indonesia's response to the threat of jihadist terrorism 1998-2016 (Thesis). Monterey, California, USA: Naval Postgraduate School. pp. 76–77. hdl:10945/49499.
^ abJawhar, Jasmine; Sariburaja, Kennimrod (2016). The Lahad Datu Incursion and its Impact on Malaysia Security. The Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT), Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. p. 16. ISBN978-983-44397-8-1.
