Snyder had traveled to Indonesia to visit several of the refugee camps where Christians have fled from villages throughout Ambon and other north Malukan islands chain following attacks on their villages. ICC has stated that it has obtained a copy of a CD distributed in Jakarta to solicit recruits for the jihad movement. According to ICC, the location serving as a stronghold for the jihad warriors is the previously tranquil island of Ternate, where the greatest common threat to the island people was an active volcano. Just like elsewhere throughout the north Malukun islands, Christians and Muslims had formerly lived together peacefully as neighbors and even family through marriage. International Christian Concern has launched a campaign to rescue and assist the 7,000 Christians who have not yet been able to escape the clutches of the jihad warriors.
Efforts are presently underway to organize rescue operations by boat.
One rescue in early January was successful and resulted in freedom for more than 400 grateful Christians. According to an ICC statement, Snyder and his team had taken every necessary precaution by registering with the security forces when arriving on the north Malukan island of Halmahera. The second day after their arrival at the town of Tobelo on the island of Halmahara, Snyder and companions were summoned by the provincial security force commander. Because of the threat of attacks by the jihad, one solider rode on top of the truck's cab where a machine gun had been mounted. At the Ternate port, we were then turned over to the local police who escorted us to police headquarters.