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2019-02-09 Southeast Asia
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Sawakjaan thought to be new IS leader in Philippines
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[BenarNews] A senior Abu Sayyaf commander accused by local authorities of planning twin bombings that killed 22 people at a Catholic church last month has likely emerged as the new leader of Islamic State in the country, according to a top U.S. defense official.
Glenn Fine, inspector general for the Department of Defense, said Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Sawadjaan was believed to be the new acting IS leader in his quarterly report to Congress. The report covered October 1 to December 31 last year, but was made available to journalists in Manila only on Thursday.
Sawadjaan is the target of a massive military operation in Jolo, where the military and police accused him of masterminding the twin blasts that hit the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on January 27.
The report identifying the IS emir in the Philippines was significant because no “unified leader” for the terrorist group has clearly emerged in the Philippines after the death of Isnilon Hapilon in October 2017.
Hapilon, the acknowledged chief of IS in the Philippines, was killed at the end of the takeover of the southern city of Marawi. While the IS did not confirm a new emir after Hapilon’s death, Sawadjaan was known to be in command of a pro-IS faction.
Abu Dar, who also fought in Marawi but escaped as Filipino troops closed in on the ruined city, was initially thought to be next IS leader in terms of seniority. Two days before the Jolo cathedral bombings, the military overran what it said was a jungle encampment of Dar, also known as Humam Abdul Najb, near Marawi, although officials said the rebel had escaped.
Dar, is believed to be a cousin of the Maute brothers, who plotted the siege in Marawi with Hapilon. He is believed to be the highest-ranking Filipino leader of Marawi militants, and is said to be the next in line to inherit the IS leadership. 
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Posted by ryuge 2019-02-09 00:00||
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File under: Abu Sayyaf (ISIS)
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