MNDF strengthens security at VIA, says its 'a precautionary step'

Officers from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) have begun work to strengthen security at Velana International Airport (VIA).

Speaking to some local media outlets, Defence Minister Adam Shareef Umar stated that the security measures were increased in light of the terrorist attacks targeting various airports throughout the world.

He also assured that the Maldives has not received any such warnings or threats, emphasizing that "this is precautionary step".

Furthermore, from Saturday onward, authorities will be conducting random passenger and luggage checks.

Prior to the decision, the Minister had visited VIA, to check the security measures there.

The decision to strengthen the security measures at the airport comes after it was reported that three Maldivians were arrested from Turkey, while attempting to travel to travel to Syria to join the civil war there.

Earlier in the month it was reported that two Maldivians were arrested in a drug cell in Malaysia. However, according to Malaysian authorities, the two were using Malaysia and Singapore as a transit point, before heading to Syria.

While all five have been extradited to Maldives following their arrests, reports indicated that the two arrested from Malaysia "have been freed".