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20 BIFF militants killed in Maguindanao clashes
[Rappler] At least two foreign fighters are believed to be among the 20 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters killed in military operations that began on Monday, March 11.

Philippine military spokesman Cirilito Sobejana said “more or less 20” were killed “including one foreign terrorist." He said the body of an Arab-looking fighter was seen among the dead.

Sobejana said Singaporean militant Muhamad Ali Abdul Rahiman, known as Mauwiyah, was also in the area along with BIFF subleader Salahudin Hassan during the air strikes. They are believed to be among those killed. He said they're still retrieving the body parts so the fatalities may be identified.

The 6th ID launched on Monday, March 11, air strikes and ground operations against BIFF fighters in the so-called “SPMS box” – the towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin, Mamasapano, and Salibo where the different BIFF factions operate. Up to 1,360 families or more than 5,000 residents were displaced in the military operations that was supposedly coordinated with local government units and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Captain Arvin Encinas, 6th ID spokesman, said the deaths resulting from the operations significantly reduced the number of BIFF combatants. He said they have names of at least 17 of the fighters killed in the operations, based also on information from the community. He said residents believe Mauwiyah was among those killed although only two bodies were recovered. Mauwiyah is a senior Jema'ah Islamiyah member reportedly associated with Moro militants.

The military estimates that over 200 fighters compose the three different factions of the breakaway group of the MILF, which now heads the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Posted by: ryuge 2019-03-15
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=536446