Al Qaeda's Southeast Asian trail
From CNN Jakarta Bureau Chief Maria Ressa
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The October 12, 2002 terrorist bombing in Bali, Indonesia.
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Trailing al Qaeda: The Southeast Asian connection
December 6:
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(Asia, South America and North America)
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JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) -- The worst terrorist strike since September 11 killed more than 200 people on the resort island of Bali in Southeast Asia in October last year.
And just ten months later, a suicide bombing at the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta left 12 people dead.
Both attacks have been blamed on Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) -- the Southeast Asian branch of Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda terror network.
Southeast Asia has increased in significance in recent years for al Qaeda. The group's top leaders began their work here more than 15 years ago -- setting up terrorist networks in the region and activating their plots -- including September 11.
Despite more than 200 arrests across the region, authorities say al Qaeda and JI are plotting more attacks in Southeast Asia and the threat seems to grow.
CNN Jakarta Bureau Chief Maria Ressa has obtained classified interrogation reports of top terror operatives which reveal how important the region has been for al Qaeda.
She probes their startling plans and looks at what the future may hold in the CNN special: "Trailing al-Qaeda: The Southeast Asian connection".
Part 1 - Al Qaeda in Southeast Asia:
A look at the trail that led to Khalid Shaikh Mohammed -- al Qaeda's self-described former military chief who has been linked to every major al Qaeda attack since 1993 -- and the men connected to him, including the notorious Hambali (pictured). Who runs and plans al Qaeda's operations and why is the threat so large in Southeast Asia?
Part 2 - Jemaah Islamiyah:
Intelligence agencies say JI continues to train in the Philippines in camps run by the country's largest Muslim separatist group, the MILF. How did JI take root in Southeast Asia and what are the connections? Are countries like the Philippines doing enough to counter the threat?
Part 3 - Indonesia attacks:
Indonesia is the country where JI has carried out most of its attacks, yet many there question whether JI even exists. Under international pressure to crack down on militant extremism, the war on terror is an extremely sensitive political issue for Jakarta.
With intelligence sources saying JI is still intending to strike again, the threat level may never have been higher.
