Observatory: Security efforts alone not enough to combat terrorism

CAIRO - 19 August 2017: The Observatory of Takfiri Fatwas and Extremist Views of the Egyptian Dar al-Ifta (Fatwa House) stressed that the vehicle-ramming terrorist attacks are considered the “most complicated”, noting that “security efforts alone are not enough” to counter such attacks.

The observatory also stressed that those attacks are very hard to detect, in comparison with other conventional forms of terrorist attacks, using explosives or automatic weapons. However, there are a number of strategies that can be applied on the medium- and long-term that can contribute significantly to preventing such attacks.

One of these strategies is a strategy called prevention of terrorism, which is based on a number of things, the most important of which is to follow-up in order to stop terrorist attacks, prevent individuals from joining terrorist or extremist organizations and deal with the implications of terrorist attacks that takes place smoothly and calmly.

However, such strategy requires the spread of such ideas among the younger generations at schools and universities to promote diversity, as well as promote spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the students. The observatory pointed out that Britain has implemented this strategy and achieved great success, as the British authorities have been able to prevent many terrorist incidents.

Another strategy that the observatory refers to, is through a community-policing partnership that seeks to identify or radicalize individuals who are likely to be involved in violence by developing patterns of radicalization.

The observatory stressed that the security efforts alone are not enough, noting that the intellectual processes and the development of practical and research strategies should be the main concern of the decision-makers in countries that suffer from waves of unconventional terrorism.

Earlier today, eight people were injured after a man wielding a knife attacked pedestrians in the street of Surgut city in Russia. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, while the attacker was shot dead by the Russian police.

On Friday, another two knife-stabbing terrorist attacks took place in Finland and Germany, and another vehicle-ramming attack took place in Spain.