Indonesia: Suicide bombing attacks on churches kill 11 in Surabaya May 13

Event

Unidentified militants carried out suicide bombing attacks on three churches in Surabaya on Sunday, May 13, killing at least 11 people and wounding some 40 others. The attacks were reportedly carried out on Sunday morning (local time), targeting the Santa Maria Catholic Church, the Indonesian Christian Church, and the Pentecost Central Church in Surabaya; police have cordoned off the immediate vicinities. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombings. Additional attacks on churches are possible in Indonesia in the near-term.

Context

Indonesia has been on high alert for months due to the extant terrorist threat. Islamic State (IS)-inspired groups and lone-wolf assailants have carried out a series of mostly low-level attacks over the past few years. There are fears that such entities could step up attacks following the return of hundreds of Indonesians who had gone to Syria to fight with IS, following the group's recent territorial losses in the region.

A similar attack took place in August 2016, when an IS-inspired assailant wounded a priest with a knife during a Mass in Medan (North Sumatra province).

Advice

Individuals in Surabaya are advised to monitor developments to the situation, report any suspicious objects or behavior, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.

According to various Western intelligence security assessments, the threat of terrorism poses a significant security risk to individuals in Indonesia. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and intent to carry out such attacks throughout the country. Past attacks have included suicide bombings and shootings targeting public and crowded places.