Premier Mao Chi-kuo says that Taiwan’s government is on guard against the threat of a possible attack by the Islamic State (IS).
Mao was responding to a tweet posted by an IS sympathizer Wednesday that featured an image of the Taipei 101 skyscraper in flames. The image was taken from a series of post-apocalyptic scenes created by Belgian digital artist Jonas de Ro. The tweet did not mention Taipei by name.
Mao said that Taiwan’s national security apparatus has already investigated the tweet. He said that the government has counter-terrorism measures in place and urged the public not to panic.
A report in English language daily The China Post on Thursday says that Taiwan’s National Security Bureau has been working with other intelligence agencies on compiling a list of terrorists. The report says that the bureau’s director recently showed the Cabinet a list of 52 terrorists that have been prevented from entering Taiwan over the last two years.
Taiwan’s military has also weighed in on the discussion of the terror threat. Defense ministry spokesman Major General David Lo said Thursday that the military’s three special anti-terror units drill regularly and are prepared to follow government orders in the event of an attack.