From Innocence to Terror: The Role of Children in the 2018 Surabaya Church Bombing

Authors

Keywords:

Terrorists, Children, 2018 Surabaya Church Bombing, Actor, Security

Abstract

Terrorism has experienced the development of the actors involved in it. Children are targets and new actors are being targeted to become cadres by terrorists, specifically by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The May 13, 2018, incident, the suicide bombing that occurred in Surabaya, East Java, involved four children as perpetrators. Four children who are siblings named Fadhil, Firman, Fadhila, and Famela have succeeded in creating public concern which creates a feeling of insecurity. This paper aims to analyze efforts to involve children as terrorist actors in the 2018 Surabaya Bombing case. The method used is a descriptive qualitative research method. Researchers collect primary data through interviews and secondary data from journals, books, and other writings on related issues. The results of this study found that the involvement of children as perpetrators of terror could occur after the child passed the six steps of the ladder for someone to become a terrorist by Fathali Moghaddam. The use of children as terrorists is due to several considerations, ranging from low cost, being able to attract media attention to being effective in physically touching targets.

Author Biographies

  • Dr. Margaretha Hanita, S.H., M.Si., School of Global and Strategic Studies University of Indonesia

    Dr. Margaretha Hanita, S.H., M.Si., a lecturer at the School of Global and Strategic Studies, University of Indonesia, and a professional specializing in Geostrategy and National Resilience at the Indonesian National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas RI), is renowned for her expertise in Politics, National Resilience, and Intelligence. She teaches such as Geopolitics and Geostrategy, Strategic Intelligence Thinking, Politics, Democracy, and Human Rights, Regional Studies and Strategic Issues, Theory of National Resilience, and National Defense and Security.

  • Muhamad Syauqillah, M.Si., Ph.D.

    M. Syauqillah, S.H.I., M.Si., Ph.D., serves as the Chair of the Terrorism Studies Program at the School of Global and Strategic Studies, University of Indonesia. With expertise in Security and Terrorism, he offers courses such as Terrorism Studies from Religious and Ideological Perspectives, Terrorism Law and National Security Policy. His notable publications include "The Transmission of Global and Regional Extremism in Indonesia" published in the Journal of Terrorism Studies, Volume 1, No. 1, "An Order to Build the Resilience in the Muslim World Against Islamophobia: The Advantage of Bogor Message in Diplomacy World & Islamic Studies" featured in the Journal of Middle East and Islamic Studies, Volume 5 No. 2 July - December 2018, and "Pro-IS Indonesian Militant Groups and Supporters" published in Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses.

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Published

31-07-2024

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