Saturday, November 23, 2019

ISIS liaison to Abu Sayyaf killed, 3 soldiers hurt in Sulu clash, says military

From GMA News Online (Nov 23, 2019): ISIS liaison to Abu Sayyaf killed, 3 soldiers hurt in Sulu clash, says military

The ISIS liaison to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed in a clash with the military in Sulu on Friday morning, the Joint Task Force Sulu of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Saturday.

Killed was Talha Jumsah aka Abu Talha during a gunfight with the Philippine Army 1st Scout Ranger Battalion in So, Tubig Amu, Barangay Tanum, Patikul, Sulu.

The military said Abu Talha is a high-value target of the AFP.


Talha Jumsah aka Abu Talha in a file photo provided by the military. Photo courtesy: 11th Infantry Division, Philippine Army

He was known as an IED expert who served as an instructor to the ASG in the production of more lethal and destructive IEDs that caused substantial casualties during suicide bombings in Sulu.

Abu Talha also served as a finance conduit and liaison between foreign and local terrorist communication lines.

His body was recovered 800 meters away from the encounter site at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday after the follow-up operations conducted by the 1101st Infantry Brigade.

"The death of Abu Talha will surely cause demoralization in the ASG ranks in Sulu. It could not have been made possible without the support of the Tausug community who reported the presence of the armed terrorists and volunteered to serve as guides during the conduct of combat operations," said Brigadier General Antonio Nafarrete, 1101st Brigade commander.

Three soldiers were injured as a result of the 20-minute encounter between Army troops and about 20 Abu Sayyaf members.

They are now being treated at the Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Busbus, Jolo.

Abu Talha's personal belongings, cooking and dining utensils, a backpack, and uniform were also recovered.

Soldiers also discovered bloodstains at the encounter site.

In January, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the military to "destroy" the Abu Sayyaf Group following the deadly blasts at a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, Sulu that left more than 20 people dead.

The President told soldiers to crush the Abu Sayyaf by “whatever means.”

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/716492/isis-liaison-to-abu-sayyaf-killed-in-sulu-says-military/story/

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.