Troops clash with al-Qaida-linked militants in southern Philippines as Muslims mark festival
Staff
AP News
Sep 20, 2009 08:21 EST
Clashes erupted Sunday in the southern Philippines when al-Qaida-linked militants resisted attempts by government forces to serve arrest warrants on three of their commanders.
Maj. Ramon David Hontiveros, a regional military spokesman, said the militants fired at troops after they cordoned off part of a village on Jolo island where the three commanders and 220 militants were staying.
An Abu Sayyaf militant was killed and an undetermined number were wounded, while five soldiers were injured, he said.
The hostilities broke out as residents of the predominantly Muslim island celebrated the Islamic festival of Eid-al-Fitr. Troops were trying to serve arrest warrants on commanders Albader Parad, Isnilon Hapilon and Umbra Jumdail, also known as Dr. Abu.
Source: AP News
