U.S.-trained commandos in Philippines kill 10 militants - army

MANILA, Dec 31 (Reuters) - U.S.-trained army commandos in
the Philippines killed 10 al Qaeda-linked militants in a clash
on a southern island, a military spokesman said on Thursday, as
security forces intensify a search for foreign hostages.
A lieutenant was among eight Philippine soldiers killed or
wounded in a clash with about 300 members of the Abu Sayyaf
militant group on Jolo island late on Wednesday, spokesman Major
Filemon Tan told reporters.
"Our troops are pursuing the Abu Sayyaf who broke into small
groups and withdrew to the interior of the island," Tan said,
adding that 15 militants had also been wounded in the fighting.
"This is part of our focused military operation to free
foreign hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf."
Tan said the Abu Sayyaf group is holding two Canadians,
along with a Dutch citizen, a Norwegian and a Japanese.
Last month, they beheaded a Malaysian captive, prompting
President Benigno Aquino to order intensified operations against
the rebels.
Tan said U.S.-trained scout rangers had assaulted a rebel
lair, triggering a three-hour battle. Troops later fired
artillery at the fleeing rebels.
There were no indications any of the hostages were in the
area, he said.
The small but violent Abu Sayyaf, known for kidnappings,
beheadings and bombings, is one of the most hardline Muslim
rebel factions in the Muslim south of the largely Christian
Philippines.
Two weeks ago, 13 Abu Sayyaf rebels were killed in a clash
on nearby Basilan island while 14 people died on Christmas eve
when another Muslim rebel faction, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom
Fighters, staged attacks on Mindanao, the main southern island.
The government signed a peace deal with the largest Muslim
rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, in March,
promising autonomy in the south and ending a 45-year conflict
that killed 120,000 people and displaced 2 million.
Both the Abu Sayyaf and Bangsamoro guerrillas are opposed to
the peace agreement and have vowed to set up an Islamic state in
the southern Philippines.
While long known for links with al Qaeda and its Southeast
Asian affiliates, the Abu Sayyaf group recently swore allegiance
to Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.