Authorities in Singapore have arrested a 17-year-old boy who was allegedly plotting a Daesh-inspired stabbing attack in a crowded suburb.
Home Minister K. Shanmugam characterized the situation as a “very close shave,” highlighting the serious intentions of the teen, who had conducted rehearsals prior to his arrest in August.
The teenager became radicalized after consuming Daesh propaganda that glorified violent attacks, particularly knife assaults. Shanmugam reported that the boy practiced stabbing motions with scissors, focusing on targeting the neck area to maximize harm during his intended attack.
Detained under the Internal Security Act, the boy planned to execute his attack during the September school holidays, when he anticipated a high volume of potential victims. The Internal Security Department (ISD) noted that the youth had been heavily influenced by extremist online content following recent events, including the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
By early this year, he had expressed strong support for Daesh and considered himself a martyr for the cause, even contemplating traveling to Syria to join the group. ISD officials stated that the boy acted independently, having been unsuccessful in recruiting others to his cause.
His family noticed his disturbing online behavior and urged him to cease watching radical content. Despite their efforts, he continued to engage with extremist material, often using coded language to discuss his beliefs online.
The ISD emphasized the importance of their timely intervention, which helped avert a potentially catastrophic incident and underscored the ongoing risks associated with online radicalization.
Home Minister K. Shanmugam characterized the situation as a “very close shave,” highlighting the serious intentions of the teen, who had conducted rehearsals prior to his arrest in August.
The teenager became radicalized after consuming Daesh propaganda that glorified violent attacks, particularly knife assaults. Shanmugam reported that the boy practiced stabbing motions with scissors, focusing on targeting the neck area to maximize harm during his intended attack.
Detained under the Internal Security Act, the boy planned to execute his attack during the September school holidays, when he anticipated a high volume of potential victims. The Internal Security Department (ISD) noted that the youth had been heavily influenced by extremist online content following recent events, including the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
By early this year, he had expressed strong support for Daesh and considered himself a martyr for the cause, even contemplating traveling to Syria to join the group. ISD officials stated that the boy acted independently, having been unsuccessful in recruiting others to his cause.
His family noticed his disturbing online behavior and urged him to cease watching radical content. Despite their efforts, he continued to engage with extremist material, often using coded language to discuss his beliefs online.
The ISD emphasized the importance of their timely intervention, which helped avert a potentially catastrophic incident and underscored the ongoing risks associated with online radicalization.
