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The Syrian crisis has raised the threat of terrorism in Singapore. Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean gave a sobering picture in Parliament today (July 9) on the impact of the crisis to the country and why the developments go beyond security concerns and threatens social cohesion. The Syrian conflict is into its third year and is a security concern for many countries including Singapore. As many as 12,000 foreigners may have already gone to fight in Syria, and the number is growing. Mr Teo, who is also Home Affairs Minister, revealed that a handful of Singaporeans have also gone to Syria to take part in the conflict. “The Government knows of a handful of Singaporeans who have gone to Syria to take part in the conflict. One of them is Haja Fakkurudeen Usman Ali (Haja), a naturalised Singapore citizen of Indian origin. He brought his wife and three children then aged between two and 11 with him,” he said. “Another female Singaporean is believed to have gone to Syria with her foreign husband and two teenaged children. The whole family is taking part in the conflict in various ways, either joining the terrorist groups to fight, or providing aid and support to the fighters.” Source: http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/handful-singaporeans-went-syria-join-conflict-dpm-teo