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Ambush kills Philippine troops Rebels kill 20 Philippine troops
(about 10 hours later)
Nine Philippine soldiers were killed when militants ambushed a convoy of troops on the volatile southern island of Jolo, the military said. At least 20 Philippine soldiers have been killed by suspected Islamic rebels on the southern island of Jolo.
The ambush happened in the early morning as the troops went to a market near the town of Maimburg. Ten of the victims died when gunmen ambushed a military convoy near the town of Maimbung.
Military officials blamed the Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf for the attack. Troops were sent to engage the rebels, and during the battle which followed, 10 more soldiers died.
Abu Sayyaf is thought to have links with both al-Qaeda and the regional militant group Jemaah Islamiah. Military spokesmen have blamed the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Abu Sayyaf - an Islamic militant group with alleged ties to al-Qaeda.
Two other soldiers were injured in the ambush, military officials said. Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for various kidnappings and bombings, including an attack on a ferry in 2004 that killed more than 100 people.
Helicopters were being used to ferry in reinforcements and evacuate the casualties, a military spokesman told Reuters news agency. The MNLF signed a peace treaty with Manila in 1996, but some of its members have refused to disarm.
Thousands of Philippine troops are based in Jolo, some 950km (600 miles) south of the Philippine capital, Manila.Thousands of Philippine troops are based in Jolo, some 950km (600 miles) south of the Philippine capital, Manila.
They have been fighting Islamic militants holed up in the island's mountainous terrain for several months.They have been fighting Islamic militants holed up in the island's mountainous terrain for several months.
Abu Sayyaf is the smallest of four Muslim rebel groups in the Philippines, and is only thought to have about 400 members.
It has been blamed for various kidnappings and bombings, including an attack on a ferry in 2004 that killed more than 100 people.