Two Abu Sayyaf fighters were killed and two more were wounded in a clash with police on Jolo island, as government forces continue to search for captured Italian Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni. President Arroyo will visit Egypt and Syria starting on May 1 to ask for assistance in peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic […]
One day before the five-year anniversary of the Krue Se massacre, Islamist terrorists attacked pylons, utility towers, and a school in Narathiwat province, temporarily disabling government communication systems and preventing security forces from responding, by laying spikes on access roads. Thailand’s southern provinces remain under a state of emergency.
Abu Sayyaf hostage remembers captivity
Security forces in the troubled south are on high alert for the upcoming anniversary of the Krue Se mosque massacre which took place on April 28, 2004. In Narathiwat, police and marines discovered munitions and bomb-making materials in a shelter in the forest. On Friday, twenty-four people, including eight police, were wounded in two separate […]
Government troops clashed with Abu Sayyaf fighters holding an Italian Red Cross worker hostage on Jolo island. According to the military, the poor health of the hostage is hindering rescue operations and preventing him from fleeing his captors.
Thailand’s insurgency: Deeply rooted
Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno announced yesterday that the government had launched an offensive against Abu Sayyaf fighters on Jolo island. More then 5,000 troops are deployed to the island in order to secure the release of Italian Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni, who is being held for ransom by Abu Sayyaf.
The government deployed more troops to help secure the release of 62-year-old Italian Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni, bringing the total number of Marines, police, and village guards encircling Abu Sayyaf positions on Jolo island to more than 1,000. At least three Muslim clerics were also deployed to negotiate with Abu Sayyaf for the release […]
Forgotten hostages in the Philippines
Police rescued Swiss national Andreas Notter, one of two Red Cross workers held captive by Abu Sayyaf insurgents on Jolo island when militants attempted to escape from a police cordon. Abu Sayyaf continues to hold an Italian Red Cross worker, who is ill and suffering from a hernia, for ransom.
US ready to help in Philippine hostage crisis
Muslim cleric seeks the release of Abu Sayyaf hostages
Abu Sayyaf militants beheaded one of two hostages captured last week on Basilan island. Abu Sayyaf continues to hold seven hostages in Basilan and two Red Cross workers hostage on Jolo island. The military announced the surrender of forty MILF fighters along with an arsenal of rocket-propelled grenades in Lanao del Norte.
Surviving Abu Sayyaf captivity
Two people were killed as security forces pursued Abu Sayyaf leader Noor Hassan Jamiri, who is holding two hostages, in Isabela Province. The Navy warned residents in Sulu province against the increased risk of Abu Sayyaf bomb attacks during the Holy Week and as government forces continue to pursue Abu Sayyaf fighters who are still […]
Three insurgents clad in black and armed with assault rifles attacked a train in the Rangae district, killing a railway worker and wounding three others. The State Railway of Thailand suspended rail services in three southern provinces after the attack. On Thursday in Pattani province, an insurgent was killed in in a clash with security […]
A joint team of police officers and Marines raided a cache of explosive materials from a supplier of Abu Sayyaf on Jolo island, where the terror group is still holding two Red Cross workers hostage. Police are pursuing 50 Abu Sayyaf fighters on Basilan island who abducted two farmers on Friday.
Seven accused Abu Sayyaf conspirators, including two police officers, who were arrested on April 2 were released without charge. The Regional Peace and Order Council of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao agreed to mediate potential future peace talks between Abu Sayyaf and the government.
Violence in Thailand’s troubled southern provinces dropped dramatically from 2007 to 2008, with the number of injuries reduced by 50%. The total number of bombings also declined by more then 50%, with a total of 157 bombings in 2008 compared to 394 incidents in 2007. The most dramatic drop was in IED attacks, with only […]
A military document indicated that Abu Sayyaf kidnappers demanded a $5 million ransom for the release of the three Red Cross workers held on Jolo island. The military denied paying any ransom for the one hostage who has been released and maintained that the government will continue to abide by a no ransom policy.
BBC: Into Thailand’s red zone
Red Cross denies interfering with hostage talks
Seven men related to Abu Sayyaf spokesman Albader Parad, including three police officers, were arrested in connection with the abduction of three Red Cross workers, two of whom are still being held captive on Jolo island. Suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen attacked a truck carrying coconut plantation workers in Basilan, killing seven and wounding three.
Amnesty International: Thai insurgents abuse human rights
Abu Sayyaf released one of three Red Cross hostages held on Jolo island after three months in captivity. The two other hostages were reported to be alive but in danger. In an unrelated incident, a nine-year-old hostage was also freed by Abu Sayyaf linked militants in Basilan.
Although the deadline set by Abu Sayyaf for beheading one of three Red Cross hostages has passed, the governor of Sulu province has indicated that all three hostages are still alive. The government has declared a state of emergency in Sulu province, while the Red Cross continues an emotional appeal for the release of the […]
MILF defends Abu Sayyaf hostages
Four militants were killed and two were captured after ambushing a squad of ten soldiers on foot patrol in Narathiwat province. Prime Minister Vejjajiva announced four strategies to resolve violence in the south, including massive spending on projects that will continue until 2012.
The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross made another appeal to Abu Sayyaf hostage takers to release three Red Cross volunteers who were abducted and are held on Jolo island. A senator argued that Abu Sayyaf was testing the government and that the military should not withdraw its forces from Jolo island.
Abu Sayyaf continues threats against hostages