SULU – Troops clashed Friday with pro-ISIS militant group Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province in southern Philippines, but security officials said no casualties were reported on the government side.
Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said the fighting erupted in two areas in Maligay village in Patikul town where soldiers clashed with about 30 militants under Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Almujer Yadah.
It was unknown if there were Abu Sayyaf members killed in the fighting, Besana said.
Soldiers also clashed Thursday with militants led by sub-leaders Iddang Susukan and Ben Tattoo in Patikul’s Langhub village. Besana said 20 soldiers were wounded in the battle after militants fired M203 grenades on security forces.
He said security forces were still pursuing the Abu Sayyaf group in the town’s hinterlands. The Abu Sayyaf has been fighting for the establishment of a caliphate in the troubled region. (Mindanao Examiner)
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