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Daesh-linked terrorists bomb port terminal in Basilan
 [The Standard] Armed men believed to be members of a Philippine terrorist group with links to Daesh detonated a bomb Tuesday morning in a port terminal in Lamitan, Basilan, as the military finally admitted the presence of nine foreign terrorists.Lamitan chief of police Gean Gallardo said the bomb went off near the main entrance to the terminal. The blast damaged a water tank and shattered windows but there were no reported casualties. The bombing comes a day after Armed Forces chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri confirmed that at least nine foreign terrorists have sought sanctuary in Mindanao for years, assisting local terrorists in bomb making techniques. Iriberri flew to Mindanao shortly after the Jakarta bombing, emphasizing the need for security forces to increase pressure on the Abu Sayyaf and other militant groups harboring foreign jihadis in Basilan, Sulu and Central Mindanao. Of the nine foreign terrorists, four were Malaysian nationals identified as University Malaya lecturer Mahmud bin Ahmad, former Selayang Municipal Council employee Muhammad Joraimee Bin Awang Raimee, Mohammad Amin Baco and Jeknal bin Adil. Malaysian Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said their compatriots who were enlisted by the Islamic State fled to Mindanao after an intensified crackdown was launched against them in 2013. He said the Islamist militants are associated with Daulah Islamiyah Asia Tenggara (Southeast Asia Islamiya Network) with links to Daesh. In January 2015, Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir was killed in a clash with commandos in the ill-fated Operation Exodus in Mamasapano, where 44 policemen were slain. Troops also killed an Indonesian terrorist, Sucipto Ibrahim Ali, a member of the Mujahidin Indonesia Timur, along with six Filipino militants, as well as Moho Najib bin Husen last year. Iriberri said it was not clear if the Abu Sayyaf was receiving funding from Daesh or other terrorist organizations. He also said they are checking into reports that an Indonesian terrorist who led the attack in Jakarta might have fled to Mindanao and eventually established an alliance with local rebels. Posted by: ryuge 2016-01-20 |
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