Philippines: Six soldiers killed on Basilan Island November 10

Event

On Friday, November 10, at least six soldiers were killed and another four injured in fighting between Islamic State (IS) affiliated militants and security forces on Basilan Island. Security officials stated that soldiers were searching the Sumisip region for Abu Sayyaf commander Furuji Indama when the fighting broke out.

Additionally, on Friday security forces reportedly rescued four Vietnamese nationals that were being held by Abu Sayyaf on Basilan island. A fifth Vietnamese hostage was found dead, reportedly due to illness. According to security officials, the hostages were kidnapped for ransom on February 25 in Sulu province.

Context

Security operations against the IS affiliated Abu Sayyaf group continue weeks after security forces pushed the group out of the city of Marawi on October 23. Fighting started in the city in May, following a botched government raid on a hideout sheltering Abu Sayyaf commander Isnilon Hapilon. Around 1100 people, including at least 897 militants, 167 security personnel, and 57 civilians, died in the subsequent fighting, with another 600,000 people displaced.

Kidnapping is common in the southern Phillipines. Abu Sayyaf is known for kidnapping people for ransom in southwest Mindanao (especially in Zamboanga province) and in the Sulu Archipelago (Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Basilan provinces). Sailors and foreigners are regularly abducted in the Sulu Sea. It is estimated that at least 16 people are still being held hostage by Abu Sayyaf, including seven foreign nationals.

Advice

Individuals are advised to avoid the area around Basilan Island and Marawi, monitor the situation, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities.

As a reminder, some Western governments formally advise against travel to southwestern Mindanao and to the Sulu Archipelago due to terrorist activity, regular clashes between the military and insurgent groups, and the risk of kidnapping by Abu Sayyaf.