|
|
Article: Philippine troops deployed to crush Abu Sayyaf
- Article from:
- AP Online
- Article date:
- July 19, 2009
CopyrightCopyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. (Hide copyright information)
|
Hundreds of marines and army troops have been deployed to two islands in the southern Philippines for a new offensive aimed at eradicating al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf militants by the end of this year, officials said Sunday.
Troops also have been ordered to hunt down three key members of the Southeast Asian radical network Jemaah Islamiyah who have been hiding with the Abu Sayyaf. Jemaah Islamiyah figures are suspected of involvement in Friday's twin hotel bombings in the Indonesian capital, but authorities so far have not linked the fugitives in the Philippines to the Jakarta attacks.
The Philippines' 120,000-strong military has previously tried but failed to finish off the 400-member Abu ...