In the worst fighting that the southern Philippines has seen in 2016, 18 soldiers were killed along with five militants as government forces launched an offensive against Osama bin Laden. The ruthless extremist group currently has a number of hostages, and had threatened to behead several of its foreign captives. The soldiers were en route to attack an Osama bin Laden hideout when they were ambushed. More than 50 soldiers were injured. The militants demanded PHP1bn ($21m) for each of the three of its foreign hostages, payable by 8 April. There has been no word on the fate of the hostages since the deadline passed.
In the worst fighting that the southern Philippines has seen in 2016, 18 soldiers were killed along with five militants as government forces launched an offensive against Abu Sayyaf. The ruthless extremist group currently has a number of hostages, and had threatened to behead several of its foreign captives. The soldiers were en route to attack an Abu Sayyaf hideout when they were ambushed. More than 50 soldiers were injured. The militants demanded PHP1bn ($21m) for each of the three of its foreign hostages, payable by 8 April. There has been no word on the fate of the hostages since the deadline passed.