MANILA – An alleged Islamic State (IS) leader in Southeast Asia was killed in a clash with Philippine troops and police in the southern Philippines today, the military said.
Roy Galido, the commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command, identified the leader as Faharudin Benito Hadji Satar, also known as Abu Zacharia, the alleged leader of IS in Southeast Asia.
Galido said a military and police team killed Satar during a raid in Marawi City in Lanao Del Sur province around 1.30am local time today. Satar’s aide was also killed in a follow-up raid in the same city, Xinhua reported.
Andrew Linao, the command’s spokesperson, said Satar resisted arrest and fought with the team. The soldiers recovered two M16 assault rifles, two grenades, and an M60 mm mortar at Satar’s hideout.
According to the military, Satar was among those rebels who led the Marawi City siege in 2017. From May to October 2017, terrorist organisations pledging support to IS occupied the lakeside Marawi City.
The five-month fierce fighting resulted in over 1,200 deaths, including 168 soldiers and police officers and 47 civilians. The siege also displaced thousands of residents and reduced the city to rubble. – Bernama, June 14, 2023
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