Philippine Troopers Kill 80 Muslim Extremists
Komfie Manalo - All Headline News Foreign Correspondent Manila, Philippines (AHN) - The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday said its forces have killed over 80 Abu Sayyar Muslim extremist in three days of fierce fighting in Sulu island, southern Philippines. But the AFP said six government troops were killed and 19 others were wounded since fighting resumed Monday. Over 5,000 soldiers were involved in the latest offensive to flush out Abu Sayyaf militants in Sulu. The military said the offensive is aimed at destroying the capabilities of the Muslim extremists to launch more attacks and to capture to suspected members of Southeast Asia-based terror group Jemaah Islamiyah, which was linked to the 2002 Bali bombings in Indonesia, where more than 200 people were killed. The U.S. has identified the Abu Sayyaf as a terror organization with links to the al-Qaeda terror network. A reward of $5 million is being offered by the U.S. government for the capture or killing of Abu Sayyaf leaders who were also responsible for the deaths of two Americans. A spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command said government forces were continuing their offensive against the militants in the towns of Patikul and Indanan in Jolo, the major city of Sulu island. The two towns were considered strongholds of the rebel. Troops were pursuing JI bombers Dulmatin and Umar Patek, who were with the group of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janja |
