Clash With IS-Linked Group Kills 5 Soldiers, Injures 23 In South Of Philippines - Reports

Five soldiers were killed and another 23 injured in a clash with militants from the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, linked to the Islamic State terrorist organization (IS, banned in Russia), in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, local media reported on Saturday, citing local Armed Forces.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th November, 2018) Five soldiers were killed and another 23 injured in a clash with militants from the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, linked to the Islamic State terrorist organization (IS, banned in Russia), in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, local media reported on Saturday, citing local Armed Forces.

The CNN Philippines broadcaster reported, citing the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command, that the clash occurred in Sulu's Patikul municipality on Friday, at around 4 p.m. local time (08:00 GMT).

Around 50 Abu Sayyaf members were reportedly engaged in the clash.

Abu Sayyaf was founded in early 1990s, and has since then being carrying out bombings, kidnappings and assassinations across the Philippines. The organization is held responsible for the Philippines' deadliest terror attack, carried out in February 2004. Over 110 people were killed then as an explosion on the SuperFerry 14 ferry.