At least 15 members of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, including a sub-leader, were killed in two separate encounters in Patikul, Sulu on Friday, the Philippine Army said.

In a report released to the media, the PA’s Special Operations Command (SOCOM) said 15 bandits were killed in two separate clashes with the military—one erupted at about 6:15 a.m. Friday in Sitio Tubig Magkawas and another at noon in Sitio Pangi, both areas are situated between Barangay Langhub and Barangay Bungkaong in Patikul town.

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An indefinite ceasefire between the communist rebels and the government takes effect today after their representatives signed a joint declaration in Norway to stop armed hostilities in preparation for talks to end once and for all the decades-long rebellion.

The declaration of the truce came almost simultaneously with the announcement of the release of three policemen by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

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The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) have recaptured the control of the key Khanabad district in northern Kunduz province.

According to the security sources, the control of the district was retaken following hours of clashes since this morning when the Taliban militants captured some key government compounds.

The sources further added that the Taliban insurgents were forced to retreat after the Afghan forces launched an operation to retake the district.

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Fighting has been ongoing for nearly a week between members of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Burma Army, leading to school closures and civilians fleeing their villages along the highway connecting Kachin State’s Tanai and Hpakant townships.

Clashes have increased in the Shahtu Zup village area in Tanai Township between members of the KIA Battalion 14 and government troops.

Tang Sen, a KIA lieutenant colonel, spoke to The Irrawaddy from the front line on Monday.

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Beijing and Damascus have agreed that the Chinese military will provide humanitarian aid to Syria, a high-ranking People’s Liberation Army officer said, adding that the training of Syrian personnel by Chinese instructors has also been discussed.

Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of China’s Central Military Commission, Guan Youfei, arrived in Damascus on Tuesday for talks with Syrian Defense Minister Fahad Jassim al-Freij, Chinese Xinhua news agency reported.

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