22 November 2017
- Australia and Southeast Asia have joined forces to choke financing for militant networks, Australia’s justice minister said Wednesday, amid recent concerns about the Islamic State group gaining a foothold in the region.

IS militants seized Marawi City in May, a move Philippine officials and analysts say was part of the group’s plan to establish a base in the region.

The new alliance aims to disrupt the funding of militant groups through enhanced financial intelligence sharing, Australian Justice Minister Michael Keenan said on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur, where he is attending a counter-terrorism conference.

“The stability and security of Southeast Asia is of critical importance to Australia,” said Keenan, who also assists Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull on counter-terrorism issues.

Keenan said under the new initiative — endorsed by representatives from across the region — participating states will “directly target and disrupt the funding lifeline of terrorist groups” by denying them access to the international financial system and other sources of funding.

Australia’s financial intelligence agency AUSTRAC and the Philippines’ Anti-Money Laundering Council will lead the group.

The creation of the alliance — named the South East Asia Counter Terrorism Financing Working Group — is the latest effort to enhance regional cooperation against militants.
By Agence France-Presse