Radicalisation among S'pore youths remains a pressing concern: ISD

Singapore's Internal Security Department (ISD) warns that radicalisation among youths under 21 poses a significant threat to the country's security, as highlighted in the 2026 Terrorism Threat Assessment Report. The number of Internal Security Act (ISA) cases involving youths has nearly quadrupled over the past five years, with six of the eight ISA detentions since July 2025 involving youths under 21.

Factors contributing to this surge include global conflicts in the Middle East, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Iran War, which heighten the threat of attacks beyond the conflict zones. Terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS continue to recruit online and inspire attacks worldwide. The report also notes the rise of far-right and nihilistic violent extremist narratives, which have contributed to recent attacks in the region.

Despite no specific intelligence of an imminent attack against Singapore, the country remains an attractive target due to its perceived friendly ties with Western nations, iconic landmarks, and its status as a secular and multicultural society. Three youths aged between 14 and 19 were planning to carry out local attacks, with one as young as 14 weeks away from execution.

Online platforms, including social media and games, accelerate radicalisation among youths by exposing them to violent extremist content. The report highlights the emergence of Composite Violent Extremism (CoVE), a form of violent extremism where individuals subscribe to multiple extremist ideologies, resulting in a personalised composite belief system that justifies violence.

CoVE cases among youths under 21 in Singapore underscore the need for vigilance and early intervention, with ISD encouraging community members to report suspicious activities or signs of radicalisation to the ISD without fear of repercussions.