Philippines: February 14, 2005

Archives

Government forces (three army and two marine battalions, plus several hundred Scout Ranger commandoes) have tried to surround  the Abu Sayyaf camp on Jolo island. Cutting off food and ammo supplies, while hammering the rebels with helicopter gunships, artillery, bombers and small arms fire, is expected to force a decision. Based on past experience, the lack of supplies, and constant fire power, will cause most of the rebels to sneak away from the jungle camp, get killed, or surrender. This could go on for a week or more. Over 5,000 civilians have fled the fighting so far. Government casualties are being kept low, by bringing in more firepower and forcing the rebels to make a move if their want to try and get past the surrounding troops. The rebels have plenty of trenches and bunkers, which will keep their casualties low. It's not known how many rebels are up there now. It may be a hundred or fewer men, or 300 or more. 

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close