ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 21, 2010) – Philippine soldiers killed at least 6 Abu Sayyaf militants in fierce clashes Sunday in the southern province of Sulu, official told the Mindanao Examiner.
Officials said three soldiers were also slightly wounded in the fighting that erupted in hinterland village of Karawan near Indanan town, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf blamed for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings in the restive region.
“We have killed at least six militants and recovered their weapons. Three of my soldiers are slightly wounded in the fighting,” said Marine Brigadier General Rustico Guerrero, commander of military forces in Sulu, who is leading the offensive against the militant group tied to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya.
He said a platoon of marine special unit and reconnaissance soldiers assaulted an Abu Sayyaf camp in Karawan, a mountain complex straddling several towns and a known lair of the militants.
Lieutenant General Benjamin Dolorfino, the regional military commander, said there were reports that a senior Abu Sayyaf leader wanted by the US government was among those killed in the clashes.
“We have reports that Albader Parad or Doctor Abu was among those killed and we are trying to verify this information,” he said.
Dolorfino said troops were fighting Abu Sayyaf forces under Albader Parad and Abu Jumdail, also known as Doctor Abu because of his alleged ability to cure wounded militants.
Both leaders are wanted by the Philippine and US authorities for their involvements in the kidnappings of American citizens and the killing of two US Special Forces soldiers in Sulu in the past.
Other reports in Sulu province said Parad was among those killed in the fighting which began as early as 4:00 a.m. It said Moro National Liberation Front rebels under former rebel chieftain Nur Misuari also fought soldiers side by side with the Abu Sayyaf.
The MNLF signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1996, but many of the rebels were disgruntled with the accord and accused the government of failing to comply with the provisions of the deal.
The accord promised the rebels a massive livelihood aid and housing programs, including a mini-martial plan in areas where there are large Muslim communities to help them uplift their standard of living. But many disgruntled MNLF members have either joined the Abu Sayyaf or engaged in kidnappings-for-ransom. (Mindanao Examiner)
Showing posts with label Dr Abu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dr Abu. Show all posts
Sunday, February 21, 2010
6 Sayyaf killed in Sulu clashes
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
US-backed RP troops hunt for JI, Sayyaf terrorists in Sulu
Mist envelopes the magnificent Tulay Mosque in Sulu province in the southern Philippines, where security forces are battling Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya militants since Sunday, September 20, 2009. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 22, 2009) – Philippine troops backed by US military intelligence on Tuesday continue to hunt for Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya militants in the southern island of Sulu, where dozens of rebels and soldiers were killed in fierce clashes since last week, officials told the Mindanao Examiner.
Regional military chief Major General Benjamin Dolorfino said troops were tracking down at least four most senior Abu Sayyaf leaders – Dr Abu, Albader Parad, Isnilon Hapilon and Yasser Igasan – including two foreign Jemaah Islamiya terrorists Mauiya and Quayem and some 200 gunmen.
Mauiya, believed to an Indian national, was among those previously tagged by the Philippine authorities as behind the kidnappings early this year of three international Red Cross workers in Sulu. But little is known about Quayem.
“Our forces are pursuing the Abu Sayyaf and JI terrorists. We will get them sooner or later,” Dolorfino said.
He said at least 34 Abu Sayyaf militants and 8 soldiers were killed in the fighting since Sunday in the hinterlands of Indanan town. Among those killed on the side of the Abu Sayyaf was Ustadz Muktar, a cousin of Hapilon, whom is wanted by the US for terrorism.
Dolorfino said the US military has been providing intelligence to the Philippine military in the hunt for the terrorists. “The US military is providing intelligence support,” he said without elaborating.
But US Special Forces are deployed in Sulu province since 2006 and assisting the local military in defeating the Abu Sayyaf.
Police are also on alert for retaliatory attacks by the Abu Sayyaf after security forces captured one of their main camps in Indanan town.
Chief Inspector Usman Pingay, head of police in the capital town of Jolo, said he had received intelligence reports that the Abu Sayyaf plans to attack after their largest camp on the island was overran by troops.
He said police had set up more road checkpoints and were conducting more foot patrols.
“We are in heightened alert. We have intelligence reports that the Abu Sayyaf may launch an attack in Jolo, probably as retaliation to the ongoing military offensive,” Pingay told the Mindanao Examiner by phone from Jolo.
Dolorfino said the fall of the Abu Sayyaf camp was a big blow to the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group. “The capture of the Abu Sayyaf camp is a big blow to the enemy because it is one of their main strongholds in Sulu,” he said.
The seized Abu Sayyaf camp was near to the base of former Moro National Liberation Front rebels, who were believed coddling the militants, according to Dolorfino.
“The Abu Sayyaf camp was a convenient sanctuary because of the presence of the MNLF base and some former rebels are protecting these terrorists because either they are relatives or family members,” he said.
The MNLF signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996, but many former guerrillas were disgruntled with the accord, saying, the Arroyo government failed to comply with some of its provisions and uplift their standards of living. They accused Manila of failing to develop war-torn areas in the south.
Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.
Many of the former MNLF fighters have joined the Abu Sayyaf and the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is now negotiating peace with the government. (Mindanao Examiner)
Regional military chief Major General Benjamin Dolorfino said troops were tracking down at least four most senior Abu Sayyaf leaders – Dr Abu, Albader Parad, Isnilon Hapilon and Yasser Igasan – including two foreign Jemaah Islamiya terrorists Mauiya and Quayem and some 200 gunmen.
Mauiya, believed to an Indian national, was among those previously tagged by the Philippine authorities as behind the kidnappings early this year of three international Red Cross workers in Sulu. But little is known about Quayem.
“Our forces are pursuing the Abu Sayyaf and JI terrorists. We will get them sooner or later,” Dolorfino said.
He said at least 34 Abu Sayyaf militants and 8 soldiers were killed in the fighting since Sunday in the hinterlands of Indanan town. Among those killed on the side of the Abu Sayyaf was Ustadz Muktar, a cousin of Hapilon, whom is wanted by the US for terrorism.
Dolorfino said the US military has been providing intelligence to the Philippine military in the hunt for the terrorists. “The US military is providing intelligence support,” he said without elaborating.
But US Special Forces are deployed in Sulu province since 2006 and assisting the local military in defeating the Abu Sayyaf.
Police are also on alert for retaliatory attacks by the Abu Sayyaf after security forces captured one of their main camps in Indanan town.
Chief Inspector Usman Pingay, head of police in the capital town of Jolo, said he had received intelligence reports that the Abu Sayyaf plans to attack after their largest camp on the island was overran by troops.
He said police had set up more road checkpoints and were conducting more foot patrols.
“We are in heightened alert. We have intelligence reports that the Abu Sayyaf may launch an attack in Jolo, probably as retaliation to the ongoing military offensive,” Pingay told the Mindanao Examiner by phone from Jolo.
Dolorfino said the fall of the Abu Sayyaf camp was a big blow to the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group. “The capture of the Abu Sayyaf camp is a big blow to the enemy because it is one of their main strongholds in Sulu,” he said.
The seized Abu Sayyaf camp was near to the base of former Moro National Liberation Front rebels, who were believed coddling the militants, according to Dolorfino.
“The Abu Sayyaf camp was a convenient sanctuary because of the presence of the MNLF base and some former rebels are protecting these terrorists because either they are relatives or family members,” he said.
The MNLF signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996, but many former guerrillas were disgruntled with the accord, saying, the Arroyo government failed to comply with some of its provisions and uplift their standards of living. They accused Manila of failing to develop war-torn areas in the south.
Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.
Many of the former MNLF fighters have joined the Abu Sayyaf and the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is now negotiating peace with the government. (Mindanao Examiner)
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