Four Singapore citizens have been separately dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for undertaking or intending to undertake violence in overseas armed conflicts.

Two were detained under the ISA in August 2015:

Mohammad Razif bin Yahya (Razif), aged 27, and Amiruddin bin Sawir (Amiruddin), aged 53.

While the other two were issued with Restriction Orders (ROs) under the ISA in March 2016:

Mohamed Mohideen bin Mohamed Jais (Mohideen), aged 25, and Wang Yuandongyi (Wang), aged 23.

Two fighters: Mohammad Razif bin Yahya and Amiruddin bin Sawir

Razif (aged 27) and Amiruddin (aged 53) were detained for voluntarily taking up arms and participating in the armed sectarian conflict in Yemen.

Both men had commenced religious studies in a religious institution in Yemen at different times.

Razif did so in January 2010, while Amiruddin was there in July 2013. Both volunteered to undertake armed sentry duties at the religious institution against any incursion by the Houthis (who are Shi’ites).

Razif, who was variously armed with an AK-47 rifle and a Dragunov sniper rifle, had volunteered for sniper training which he put into practice when fighting the Houthis.

Amiruddin, who was armed with an AK-47 rifle, was also involved in a fire-fight with the Houthis.

Razif and Amiruddin were prepared to kill and be killed as "martyrs" in the sectarian conflict in Yemen. By taking up arms in Yemen, they have demonstrated a readiness to use violence to pursue their religious cause. As such, they are assessed to pose a security threat to Singapore.

One who didn't get to fire weapon: Mohamed Mohideen bin Mohamed Jais

Mohideen, aged 25, had performed armed sentry duties in Yemen while pursuing religious studies there from 2009 to early 2011. He understood that he had to return fire using the AK-47 assigned to him, with the aim to kill if there was an incursion by the Houthis.

However, Mohideen did not encounter any situation that required him to open fire during his stint.

He has since been placed on an RO under the ISA with effect from March 2016.

One who wanted to fight ISIS: Wang Yuandongyi

Wang, aged 23, intended to travel to Syria to join a Kurdish militia group that is fighting against the terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

He left Singapore in January 2016 for a third country, from where he intended to make his way to Turkey and onward to Syria. Someone who became aware of his plans reported him. On the request of Singapore, Wang was located by the authorities of the third country and was turned back to Singapore. He was arrested under the ISA and placed on an RO with effect from March 2016.

Read more about the Singaporean man who wanted to fight ISIS.

Top photo via YouTube screengrab

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