Maldives should review and revise its counterterrorism policy: Shiyam

Chief of Defence Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam has said that the Maldives should review and revise its counterterrorism policy.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a three-day seminar, ‘Seminar on Refining Counterterrorism Strategy’, held by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) in collaboration with the U.S. government, Shiyam highlighted the importance of understanding the challenges faced in counterterrorism operations in the Maldives.

He said that efforts must be made to establish a national counterterrorism policy soon. He said that terrorist activities may be conducted in different ways, such as through political and social activities.

“We are faced with the dangers of terrorism in various ways. Terrorist activities may be conducted as part of political or social activities. However it is carried out, the ultimate result would be the nation being destroyed,” he said.

He said that even though no serious terrorist activities have taken place in the Maldives in the past, we should not assume that such activities would not take place in the future. He said that we should always be prepared for such attacks, acquire the relevant trainings and ensure that the country is ready to face such activities.

The seminar, held at Kurumba Maldives, is attended by officials from MNDF, Maldives Police, Ministry of Defence and National Security, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport and Communication, Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Gender, Family and Human Rights, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture, Maldives Customs Service, Department of Immigration and Emigration, Maldives Civil Aviation Authority, Maldives Monetary Authority and Attorney General’s Office.