ISIS terrorists kill four Philippine Army troops in Mindanao ambush
ISIS terrorists kill four Philippine Army troops in Mindanao ambush
Terrorists from Dawlah Islamiyah - Hassan Group.
MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR: A pro-Islamic State Filipino terror group killed four soldiers during an ambush in the southern province of Maguindanao on Sunday (Mar.17), it has been reported.
Philippine Army chief Lt. Roy Galido, in a statement, said they denounced the ruthless ambush of their troops by armed men believed to be members of the Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) - Hassan Group in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan district.
Galido did not say how many troops were killed but a news report by NDBC News said four had been slain in the ambush.
Dawlah Islamiyah or DI is the umbrella name given to local terror groups aligned with Islamic State, which is the meaning of the Arabic phrase.
The soldiers, Galido added, were heading back to their patrol base after buying supplies when the perpetrators ambushed them near a residential area in Tuayan 1 village.
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“We are working closely with local authorities and community leaders to ensure that security measures in the area are sustained. This incident only strengthens our resolve to eradicate this terrorist group from our land once and for all,” he said.
“We also stand in solidarity with the families of our four fallen heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Appropriate benefits and assistance will be provided to their families to help them during this trying time.”
Galido said the Philippine Army condemned the “senseless, treacherous and most heinous acts perpetrated by this terrorist group.
“The Army is committed to ensuring that the perpetrators face the full consequences of their actions and that justice will be served for the victims and their families.”
Clashes with government troops and militias have been escalating since last year especially after the killing of three leaders of three separate pro-Islamic State groups - the Abu Sayyaf Group, Maute Group and Hassan Group - along with some of their followers.
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One of the three slain leaders was Abdullah Sapal a.k.a. Bro Sapal, the emir of the Hassan Group and overall leader of the Islamic State in the Philippines.
The Hassan Group also attacked a police detachment and injured three policemen in the province in August last year.
In September last year, two Hassan group members were killed in a firefight with the government militia, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, also in Maguindanao del Sur.
The Hassan Group reportedly traces its roots to the now defunct al-Khobar extortion gang which operated in the southern cities of Mindanao from 2007-2015.
Before the group’s leader, Salahuddin Hassan, was killed on Oct. 29, 2021, he was referred to by some sources as the emir of the Islamic State (IS) in Southeast Asia or the Philippines after the demise of Abu Dzar, the leader of another pro-IS outfit, the Maute Group.
MY TAKE
Pro-IS groups, namely the Hassan Group, Maute Group and one or two factions of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) group are still active in the southern Philippines. The BIFF carried out an ambush only on March 13 although which faction was responsible could not be established.
Sunday’s (Mar. 17) attack indicated all three groups are active. Philippine authorities are still hunting for remaining members of the Maute Group who carried out a fatal bombing attack in Lanao del Sur province in December last year. Scores of members including the bombing mastermind have been neutralised.
Whether the three IS groups are coordinating attacks is something that Philippine authorities and communities should seriously be aware of and prevent.
Meanwhile, elements of the pro-IS Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) may also be present in Basilan and Sulu provinces, the latter declared recently as ASG free, although no activities have been publicly reported lately by authorities in the two areas. I think this because some ASG terrorists surrendered in Sulu recently, while ASG has been quiet lately in Basilan, but quiet doesn’t mean there’s nothing.
Designation of a terrorist versus and insurgent attack makes the distinction of targets. Military target attacks are not terrorism but insurgent attacks within a border of groups who seek to disrupt the government. Terrorism is different and activities are not aimed at military.