Eight Dead as Philippine Soldiers Clash with Abu Sayyaf Militants, Reports Reuters

Philippine military forces engaged in a firefight with suspected Abu Sayyaf militants on a remote island in the southern region of the country, resulting in the deaths of three militants and five soldiers. This confrontation occurred in the town of Patikul, situated in Sulu province, around 11:30 a.m. as troops pursued individuals responsible for a recent church attack.

The church bombing, which took place the previous Sunday, tragically claimed the lives of 22 people and injured over 100 others, including both civilians and military personnel. The attack was confirmed as a suicide mission executed by an Indonesian couple, who were aided by members of the Abu Sayyaf group, according to reports from Interior Minister Eduardo Año.

Abu Sayyaf is a militant organization known for its involvement in kidnappings and other extremist activities and has expressed allegiance to the Islamic State. The group has a well-established presence in Sulu province, which is regarded as one of its strongholds.

The encounter in Patikul lasted close to two hours, during which five soldiers and approximately 15 militants sustained injuries. Martial law has been enforced in Mindanao since 2017, following a violent siege by domestic and foreign fighters in Marawi City, which lasted five months and drew comparisons to conflict scenarios in Syria and Iraq.