Military casualties are loaded in a helicopter in the restive province of Basilan, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf in the Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines in these library pictures following fierce clashes in Al-Barka town. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – At least a dozen soldiers were killed and injured in a clash Tuesday with suspected rebels in Basilan province in the strife-torn Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines.
The military’s Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City has confirmed the fighting and said 2 soldiers were slain and that 10 more had been wounded in the clashes in the village of Macalang in Al-Barka town.
The town is one of known strongholds of the Abu Sayyaf rebels and Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed an interim peace deal with Manila last year.
No other details were made available by the military, saying, the operation was continuing in the restive province where Abu Sayyaf rebels are believed to be coddling Malaysian and Indonesian militants linked to ISIS.
The military operation involved forces from the army’s 104th Infantry Brigade – 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion, 4th Special Forces Battalion, Marine Special Operations Group, and 12th Light Armor Cavalry.
It was unknown if the MILF was actively involved in the clashes, but it previously fought side by side with the Abu Sayyaf against security forces in Basilan, a known bastion of local terrorist groups blamed for deadly bombing in the province and nearby Zamboanga City.
The province is also being used by the Abu Sayyaf rebels to hide foreigners and Filipinos they kidnapped from other areas in southern Philippines. Many innocent victims of the Abu Sayyaf had been killed and beheaded in the restive province of Basilan, just several nautical miles south of Zamboanga. (Mindanao Examiner)
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