THE recent arrest of five suspected terrorists marked the first time a pro-Shia group was planning to launch attacks on Sunnis in Saudi Arabia from its base in Malaysia.

The leader and members of a cell of anti-Sunni militant group Aso’ib Ahl al-Haq were detained following several operations nationwide.

“Yes, they are a pro-Shia militant group. We believe this is the first time an anti-Sunni group was arrested here,” said a source.

“They had planned to fly to Yemen and join the Huthis. They were going to join the Aso’ib group, and then attack Saudi Arabia.”

Huthi rebels have been fighting pro-government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, in Yemen since 2014.

The source said the group leader was among the five arrested.

The intelligence officer, who declined to be named, added that the group was due to receive military training in Yemen.

“They were going to receive military training in Yemen, and this group is self-funded.”

Last week, Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the Aso’ib group was planning to head to a Middle Eastern country to launch attacks.

“Authorities believe Aso’ib has some 100 members nationwide, but only a few of them are extremists,” said a source.

Fuzi had also said the Aso’ib cell in Malaysia was to be supplied with weapons by the group upon arrival in the Middle East.

“One member of the group is already in the Middle Eastern country, and is making preparations and coordinating attacks,” he had said, without revealing the destination country.

An expert in terrorism, who wanted to remain anonymous, told The Malaysian Insight that Aso’ib, established in Iraq in 2014, believes in Shia jihadism.

“Yes, I’ve just been informed by a contact, who is a former Iraqi army member, that the group was established in Iraq.

“(The group is an) Iraqi Shia paramilitary group active in the Iraqi insurgency and Syrian civil war.”

Malaysian police have arrested 425 militants, including 44 women, since February 2013 for suspected involvement in terrorism.

“Of the total, 314 were Malaysians, while the remaining were from multiple countries, including the Philippines (39), Indonesia (35), Iraq (8), Bangladesh (5) and Yemen (4),” said a source from Bukit Aman. – September 18, 2018.