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| Southeast Asia |
| Five Islamist gunmen dead in Philippine clash: Army |
| 2011-02-14 |
| [Straits Times] TROOPS overran the jungle lair of Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Orcs and similar vermin in the troubled southern Philippines, killing five of the guerrillas, the military said on Sunday. Regional military front man Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang said the army offensive on remote Basilan island on Saturday also left two soldiers dead. 'The firefight lasted for three hours,' Cabangbang said in a brief statement sent to news agencies. He said the Abu Sayyaf turbans, numbering around 30, abandoned the small rebel encampment of seven bunkers, communications equipment and ammunition. One of the five gunnies killed was believed to be Juhaiber Alamsirul, a known 'sub-commander' of the Abu Sayyaf, who operates mostly on Basilan island and has been linked to previous kidnappings in the area. The Abu Sayyaf is a 300-strong gang of self-styled Islamic turbans. It was set up in the 1990s by a Filipino Islamic firebrand using seed money from Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network, local and western intelligence groups said. |
| Posted by:Fred |