Philippine troops kill ISIS leader, 10 others in fierce battle

COTABATO CITY - The Philippine military on Saturday announced the killing of 11 pro-ISIS fighters, including its chieftain, in what security officials branded as "decisive military operations" in the Muslim province of Maguindanao del Sur where troops are battling the hardened terrorist group Dawlah Islamiya of Islamic State.

Photos released by the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division show the aftermath of the fighting that killed 11 pro-ISIS gunmen, including their chieftain in Maguindanao del Sur province. 

The operations, which began Friday afternoon, led soldiers to the mountain hideout of the Dawlah Islamiya in the village of Mount Tuayan in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan town, a major stronghold of the group fighting for the establishment of a caliphate in the South.

"Eleven members of the local terrorist group, including the proclaimed Ameer of Dawlah Islamiyah-Philippines, were killed in decisive military operations in the mountainous area of Mother Tuayan, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, at 12:15 p.m. on Friday (December 1, 2023). The operation also led to the recovery of ten high-powered firearms and three explosives," said Brigadier General Oriel Pangcog, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade Commander.

Pangcog said civilians provided information into the terrorist lair and security forces assaulted the hideout and killed the gunmen in a running gunbattle in the remote village. "The community provided information indicating the terrorist group's consolidation. Consequently, the operation, supported by air units, targeted the exact location where the enemy was hiding.  Our operating troops recovered ten high-powered firearms in the area, including two M14 rifles, seven M16 rifles, one RPG (rocket-propelled grenade launcher) and three explosives,” he said.

Major General Alex Rillera, commander of the 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central, also confirmed the fighting but he and Pangcog did not release the identity of the slain Dawlah Islamiya chieftain except he was proclaimed "Ameer of Dawlah Islamiyah-Philippines." 

No other details were made available by the military or the progress of the anti-terrorist operations in the province which is a part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)