Indonesia’s elite counter-terrorism unit, Densus 88, arrested four Uzbek nationals for their alleged involvement with the jihadist group Katibat Tawhid wal-Jihad (KTJ). Despite being a relatively new group, founded in 2015, KTJ has proved to be more enduring than another Uzbek jihadist group in Syria, the now-defunct Imam Bukhari Battalion. In March, KTJ released photographs of its emir and sharia official inspecting fortified positions in Idlib, as well as of its fighters and emergency relief efforts. The group has become a major force multiplier for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and enabled the formerly al-Qaeda-affiliated (now nominally independent) group to prevent the Syrian government from regaining control of Idlib. According to reports, one of the arrested KTJ members was responsible for providing financial support and false documents for their compatriots fighting in Idlib, while the other three assisted the group with producing high-quality propaganda. Counter-terrorism agencies suspect that KTJ is seeking out other countries to set up logistical and financial hubs as it may lack a sanctuary in Turkey. However, conflicts in places like Ukraine might be tempting potential recruits away from KTJ. In successful operations, Indonesia has previously tracked down and arrested cells of the Uyghur-led Turkistan Islamic Party, which had attempted to seek refuge and train with Indonesian jihadists. The consequences of KTJ’s closed operational space in Indonesia, South Korea, and Turkey, however, remains to be seen, including whether it will affect the group’s operations in Idlib.
