Battles Continue Between Philippine Troops And Muslim Rebels In Zamboanga City

Death Toll Climbs As Army, Militants Fight On In The Philippines -- CNN

(CNN) -- At least 158 people have been killed since fighting broke out earlier this month between separatist rebels and soldiers in the Philippines, state news reported Wednesday.

The majority of those killed, 125, were militants from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the government-run Philippines News Agency (PNA) said. Also among the reported dead were 15 members of the military, five from police, and 13 civilians.

The lengthy crisis in Zamboanga City began when large numbers of rebels from the Muslim militant group came ashore more than two weeks ago.

They took roughly 180 people hostage in coastal areas of the city. After attempts to negotiate the hostages' release failed, security forces moved in, resulting in intense bursts of fighting.

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More News On The Continuing Conflict Between Philippine Military Forces And Muslim Rebels In Zamboanga City

Filipino troops capture dozens more Muslim rebels who ran out of ammunition in 3-week standoff -- Washington Post/AP
Battle drags on between Philippine troops and Muslim rebels -- L.A. Times
More Muslim rebels surrender in Philippines' south -- BBC
Day 18: In the battle zone, numbers don't add up -- Rappler
Signs of Normalcy Appearing in Rebel-Torn Area of Philippines -- Wall Street Journal
The Philippines: Over 100,000 Displaced Face Disease -- New York Times/AP
UN says more than 100,000 Filipinos displaced by 2-week fighting with rebels face crisis -- Washington Post/AP
UN Warns of Humanitarian Crisis in Southern Philippines -- Voice of America
'Humanitarian crisis' in battle-scarred Philippine city -- FOX News/AFP
UN: Situation In Southern Philippines 'A Humanitarian Crisis' -- RTT News

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Fighting Between Philippine Military Forces And Muslim Rebels Continue

Members of the Philippine Marines hold their weapons aboard a truck as they block a road during fighting between government soldiers and Muslim rebels of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Zamboanga city in southern Philippines, Sept. 15, 2013.

Philippine President Urges Muslim Rebels to Surrender -- Voice of America

Philippine President Benigno Aquino is urging the remaining Muslim rebels in the southern city of Zamboanga to surrender and avoid further bloodshed.

His message Thursday to fighters of the Moro National Liberation Front, or MNLF, came as fresh fighting claimed the lives of eight rebels and one soldier. More than 100 have died and more than 100,000 have been displaced from their homes.

Aquino, who has said he will stay in the area until the crisis is over, also announced a $90 million reconstruction fund for Zamboanga.
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More News On The Continuing Fighting Between Philippine Military Forces And Muslim Rebels

Aquino tells MNLF gunmen: Surrender now or face the full force of gov’t -- Inquirer News
Philippine president calls on rebel holdouts holding hostages in south to end the bloodshed -- Washington Post/AP
Clashes erupt as Zamboanga City airport reopens, some areas back to normal -- Inquirer
Philippine forces secure villages from rebels -- Al Jazeera America
Philippine troops kill 8 Muslim rebels in city battles -- FOX News/AFP
Philippine Mayor Wants Rebels Punished for Attack -- Wall Street Journal
Rebels lose ground in southern Philippines -- Al Jazeera
Thousands of people displaced by fighting in southern Philippines -- Catholic Online
Evacuations ordered as Mindanao fighting continues -- IRIN
AFP, MNLF have committed human-rights abuses—HRW -- Inquirer

WNU Editor: A profile on the rebel leader who started this carnage can be read here.

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Fighting Spreads Between Philippine Military Forces And Muslim Rebels

Thousands Flee in South Philippines as Islamic Violence Spreads -- Bloomberg Businessweek

Clashes between Muslim rebels and Philippine troops forced about 15,000 people to flee their homes as violence spread in the nation’s south, complicating efforts to bring peace to the region after four decades of insurgency.

At least 10 people have been killed during four days of fighting between government forces and Moro National Liberation Front rebels, who hold about 100 hostages in several parts of Zamboanga city, police and military officials said. Armed men also attacked the city of Lamitan in Basilan province, a boat ride from Zamboanga, wounding three soldiers, police provincial director Senior Superintendent Mario Dapilloza said.

President Benigno Aquino sent more troops to contain the MNLF guerrillas. The violence coincides with the resumption of peace negotiations with a separate rebel group, threatening government efforts to end an insurgency that has killed about 200,000 people and stifled development in Mindanao.

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More News On Philippine Rebels And Military Forces Fighting For The Fourth Straight Day

Philippine Rebels, Military in Fourth Day of Standoff -- Voice of America
Philippine government warns rebels to end hostage standoff soon, says it is ready to use force -- Washington Post/AP
Muslim rebel clashes spread to second southern Philippine island -- Reuters
Heavy fighting in rebel-besieged Philippine city -- FOX News/AFP
Philippines troops contain Muslim rebels as Zamboanga siege continues -- CNN
Calls for U.N. Mediation After Separatist Rebels Attack Second Philippine Town -- Time
Philippine government warns southern rebels -- Al Jazeera
Philippine Rebel at Center of Hostage Standoff in South -- Wall Street Journal
New Attack Raises Fears of Broader Threat in Philippines -- New York Times
Is the rebel attack in the Philippines a publicity ploy? -- Ralph Jennings, Christian Science Monitor
Separatist clashes in Philippines could renew insurgency -- Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor

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