The Asian Age

S’pore ISIS challenges Harry to fight jihadists

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Singapore, Sept 24: A Singaporea­n member of the Islamic State (ISIS) group in Syria has appeared in a video challengin­g Britain’s Prince Harry to fight the jihadists, a monitoring group and authoritie­s said Sunday.

It is believed to be the first time that a fighter from the affluent citystate has featured prominentl­y in one of IS’s videos.

In the English-language video released Saturday, a man identified as “Abu ‘Uqayl” from Singapore took issue with Prince Harry talking about a terror attack in London while on a visit to

In the English video released Saturday, a man identified as ‘ Abu Uqayl’ from Singapore took up issue with Prince Harry talking about a terror attack in London while on a visit to Singapore in June

Prince Harry formerly served in the British army and flew Apache

Singapore in June.

“Why don’t you come here and fight us if helicopter­s in Afghanista­n

The royal’s visit to the city-state in June was overshadow­ed by an ISISclaime­d attack in London

The attack saw knife-wielding men mow down and stab revellers killing seven before they were killed by police

you’re man enough, so that we can send you and your Apaches to hellfire, biidhnilla­h (Allah permitting)?” he said in the video which was circulated by the SITE Intelligen­ce Group.

Prince Harry formerly served in the British army and flew Apache attack helicopter­s in Afghanista­n.

The royal’s visit to the city-state in June was overshadow­ed by an IS-claimed terror attack in London.

The attack saw knifewield­ing men mow down and stab revellers on a night out, killing seven before they were gunned down by police.

Singapore’s interior ministry said it believed the person in the video was a Singaporea­n.

“Our security agencies have been aware for some time now of the presence in Syria of a Singaporea­n, Megat Shahdan bin Abdul Samad, 39, and have been monitoring his activities,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.

“It is believed that the person in the video calling himself ‘Abu Uqayl’ is Shahdan.”

Singapore’s leaders have warned that the city is a prime target for a terror attack because of its strong stand against terrorism and reputation as a regional financial centre.

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