Philippines: 11 killed in clashes between soldiers and Abu Sayyaf militants in Sulu island
At least seven Filipino marines and four Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed in a clash Saturday as the military launched an offensive against al-Qaeda-linked gunmen who have been blamed for recent kidnappings and of trying to sabotage a road project in the island province of Sulu, military officials said Saturday.
Nine other marines and about 10 Abu Sayyaf fighters were wounded in the gunbattle that broke around 6:40 a.m. Saturday and raged for an hour in the village of Tugas, Patikul municipality, military spokesman Brigade General Domingo Tutaan said.
“They were conducting were on tracking operations against those involved in recent kidnappings, leading to a firefight in Barangay Tugas. It was a long firefight. Unfortunately, seven personnel were killed in action and nine were slightly wounded,” said Tutaan.