Philippines - Abu Sayyaf

Clashes with Abu Sayyaf leave 23 soldiers dead

Article published on the 2009-08-13 Latest update 2009-08-13 11:14 TU

Philippine armed policeman
(photo : AFP)

A raid on an Abu Sayyaf training camp in the Philippines has ended with 23 Philippine soldiers dead along with 20 rebels. Fourteen other soldiers were wounded in the offensive, which was the heaviest since 2007 when 29 soldiers were killed in two attacks on the rebel group. The military offensive continued Thursday.

Army officials also say that fighters from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front were involved in the clash. They reported that fighting was intense, after which they found home-made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and 13 high-powered firearms in the camp.

The training camp is situated in the town of Ungkaya Pukan on the island of Basilan. The army say they engaged about 200 fighters. Soldiers continue to search the difficult terrain for remnants of the group.

The Abu Sayyaf movement has been responsible for a number of high-profile kidnappings, including that of three International Red Cross workers in January. The ransoms from these kidnappings are believed to fund the group, which started as an Islamist rebel movement but has veered towards pure criminality.

The Abu Sayyaf has been known to behead hostages in the past when it was not paid promptly.