A high-ranking military commander in the Philippines says at least six al-Qaeda-linked fighters have been killed by soldiers in an assault on an Abu Sayyaf base on a southern island.
Lieutenant-Geneneral Benjamin Dolorfino, head of the military's Western Mindanao Command, said on Sunday that a marine special operations platoon raided the camp outside Maimbung township on Jolo, following intelligence reports that two wanted fighters were there.
The operation was based on a "very strong intelligence report" that the two commanders - Umbra Jumdail and Albader Parad - were holed up in the camp, Dolorfino said.
Officials were trying to verify an initial report that one of the Abu Sayyaf commanders was among those killed, he said.
Lieutenant-Colonel Edgard Arevalo, the Philippine marines spokesman, said one marine was killed and three others were wounded in the clash.
Abu Sayyaf, which has about 400 fighters, has been blamed for numerous bombings, beheadings and kidnappings of Filipinos and foreigners, including Americans.
Several Filipinos have been kidnapped but most either escaped or were released, allegedly after ransom payments.
The group is believed to have received funds from al-Qaeda and is on a US list of "terrorist" organisations.
The recovery of the slain fighters and their weapons indicated the Abu Sayyaf fighters were caught by surprise and could have suffered more casualties since it was unusual for them to leave the bodies of dead comrades behind, the military said.
It said the 30-man marine platoon was backed by other troops deployed to block the escape of the fighters from their encampment on Jolo, where Abu Sayyaf has operated for years despite a US-backed military campaign against them.
The US government has offered a $100,000 reward for Jumdail, also known as Dr Abu, and $15,000 for Parad.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2010/02/20102217219857969.html
Lieutenant-Geneneral Benjamin Dolorfino, head of the military's Western Mindanao Command, said on Sunday that a marine special operations platoon raided the camp outside Maimbung township on Jolo, following intelligence reports that two wanted fighters were there.
The operation was based on a "very strong intelligence report" that the two commanders - Umbra Jumdail and Albader Parad - were holed up in the camp, Dolorfino said.
Officials were trying to verify an initial report that one of the Abu Sayyaf commanders was among those killed, he said.
Lieutenant-Colonel Edgard Arevalo, the Philippine marines spokesman, said one marine was killed and three others were wounded in the clash.
Abu Sayyaf, which has about 400 fighters, has been blamed for numerous bombings, beheadings and kidnappings of Filipinos and foreigners, including Americans.
Several Filipinos have been kidnapped but most either escaped or were released, allegedly after ransom payments.
The group is believed to have received funds from al-Qaeda and is on a US list of "terrorist" organisations.
The recovery of the slain fighters and their weapons indicated the Abu Sayyaf fighters were caught by surprise and could have suffered more casualties since it was unusual for them to leave the bodies of dead comrades behind, the military said.
It said the 30-man marine platoon was backed by other troops deployed to block the escape of the fighters from their encampment on Jolo, where Abu Sayyaf has operated for years despite a US-backed military campaign against them.
The US government has offered a $100,000 reward for Jumdail, also known as Dr Abu, and $15,000 for Parad.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2010/02/20102217219857969.html
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