Philippines: Heavy fighting between troops and Islamic militants

Heavy fighting erupted Thursday between troops and Islamic militants holding hostage an ailing Italian Red Cross worker, the military said, AFP reported.

Soldiers caught up with about 150 heavily armed Abu Sayyaf members near the town of Indanan on southern Jolo island at dawn, triggering clashes, regional army spokesman Lieutenant Steffani Cacho said.

"Fighting is still ongoing," she said. "There are casualties on the government side."

She said no other details could be made public.

Published by Mike Hitchen, Mike Hitchen Consulting
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