By Mark Baber
October 5 – Following the murders of an Italian aid worker and a Japanese tourist, which have both been claimed by the Islamic State (IS), Australia’s Football Federation (FFA) has expressed its concern over the security situation in Bangladesh, ahead of a scheduled World Cup qualifier on November 17.
With an Australian cricket tour having already been postponed, the news that IS has claimed credit for the shooting death of Japanese national Kunio Hoshi in the city of Rangpur in Bangladesh, on Saturday, just five days after claiming the killing of Italian national Cesare Tavella is likely to increase Aussie fears.
Prior to the death of Kunio Hoshi, a FFA spokesperson said: “FFA is concerned about the security situation in Bangladesh and will continue ongoing discussions with DFAT, relevant government agencies and security experts in relation to the Socceroos’ World Cup Qualifier against Bangladesh in Dhaka on 17 November 2015.”
The spokesperson added: “FFA has formally raised the matter with FIFA and AFC (Asian Football Confederation).”
In both murders the perpetrators were described as three youths who escaped on motorbikes and ISIS has claimed one of its “security detachments” committed the crimes.
The Australian government in updated advice, advises “staff to travel only by vehicle in Dhaka for the time being,” saying: “This restriction is in addition to our ongoing advice to staff to limit their movements in public places, including locations frequented by foreigners. We recommend that Australians adopt similar security measures. The level of advice has not changed. You should exercise a high degree of caution in Bangladesh.”
Fears over the security situation in Dhaka are probably not helped by the position of the Bangladeshi government, who maintain there is no IS cell in the country and who have blamed the main opposition party who they claim is trying to undermine the stability of the country – claims strongly denied by the opposition.
Australia has been part of the US-led coalition which has been launching airstrikes against IS in Iraq since 8 October 2014, although the extent of its involvement is shrouded in secrecy. Australia is also reported as having provided more recruits to IS, per capita of its population, than any other country – with around 150 Aussies reportedly fighting alongside the terror group in June 2015.
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