Malaysia on alert as Mosul offensive stokes fears of militant influx

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia has stepped up security at its borders in case Malaysian militant fighters try to return home after Iraqi forces launched a major offensive to take back the ISIS stronghold of Mosul, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Tuesday.

Ahmad Zahid told a news conference that Malaysian airport and border security had been increased, while illegal routes commonly used by smugglers were being monitored.

"We have been exchanging intel with international intelligence agencies, and we have a suspect list which includes names of those we believe have ties with ISIS," he said.

Ahmad Zahid did not state how many Malaysians were currently in Mosul but police figures released last month showed that 90 Malaysians had joined ISIS in Syria and Iraq since 2013.