Tempted by the promise of a more decent life in the Caliphate, Farah and Febri left for Syria with 26 other members of their family in 2015. 

Between 1,000 and 1,500 Indonesians left to fight, or live, with IS and other groups in the Middle East. Many were intercepted in Turkey and elsewhere and were deported. These people travelled to the region to be part of the Caliphate. Most had no intention of returning, sold everything and left with their families. Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs) and returnees pose a possible threat to South-East Asia, but there is very little information about their intentions. Research conducted with European returnees suggests the risks appear far lower than expected.

Governments should not assume all returnees pose risks, while at the same time remaining vigilant. It is critical that governments develop clear plans and policies for handling returnees and assessing the risk they may pose. Programmes need to focus on changing violent behaviours rather than beliefs. Governments and civil society need to work with communities, as well as FTFs, to ensure that they have support and do not find themselves ostracized.