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| Southeast Asia |
| Philippine Troops Capture Abu Sayyaf Camp on Jolo |
| 2008-05-01 |
| Military officials say about 300 marine and army commandoes battled 200 militants overnight, seizing the camp on Jolo island early Wednesday morning. A heavy artillery and mortar bombardment preceded the attack. There was no immediate word on casualties or on whether any militants were captured. Commanders describe the strike as a "surgical assault" and said it was ordered after intelligence indicated an unusual gathering of top Abu Sayyaf leaders - an indication that they were planning a major attack. Another important figure, Umar Patek, of the Indonesian-based Jemaah Islamiyah group, was also thought to be at the base. The military says it found bomb-making supplies in the camp. Abu Sayyaf is believed to have about 300 to 400 fighters - down from a peak of about one-thousand several years ago. But military spokesman Major Eugene Batara says completely wiping out the group is hard because of the dense jungle on Jolo, and the militants' ability to blend in with the local community. "It is hard for us to get to Abu Sayyaf because they are very mobile and the terrain in Jolo is really very difficult for the armed forces to go in. It is heavily forested and the terrain is in favor of the enemy because they live in that place," he explained. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 When I think of 'Jolo' I think of one particular club that used to be in Olonagpo, Sadly it burnt to the ground one dark and stormy winter night. No donkeys were harmed..... |
| Posted by: USN,Ret. 2008-05-01 14:24 |
| #1 when I think: "surgical strike", I don't usually think: "heavy artillery and mortar bombardment preceding the attack" not that there's anything wrong with that |
| Posted by: Frank G 2008-05-01 06:25 |