Singapore to participate in war against IS

Singapore said Monday that it would support the war against the Islamic State (IS) by contributing personnel and equipment to the international coalition fighting the terror group, media reported.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen told the parliament that it was part of Singapore's ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and outlined how the government fought threats from Al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah, The Straits Times reported.

The minister added that his country has been fighting terrorism by strengthening its social, psychological and physical defences at home, and joining other countries to deal with the sources of radicalisation and terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"As a result, both Al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah are weaker today. However, this terrorism threat is a long-term one, and new groups like IS will emerge even as existing ones falter. When they do, we must not lose focus in dealing with them," he was quoted as saying.