Philippines confirms death of Daesh group leader

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Philippines confirms death of Daesh group leader

Manila - Security forces believe he had led an alliance of pro-Daesh fighters in southern Philippines.

By Reuters

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Published: Sun 14 Apr 2019, 5:15 PM

Last updated: Sun 14 Apr 2019, 7:18 PM

Philippine officials on Sunday confirmed that a leader of an alliance of pro-Daesh militants was one of four insurgents killed in a clash with the military last month.
Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed Abu Dar's death based on the findings of a DNA test.
"It is confirmed, it's Abu Dar's remains," he said.
Security forces believe Abu Dar had led an alliance of pro-Daesh fighters in southern Philippines that include foreigners.
The four rebels were killed in a clash in Lanao del Sur province in March.
Major-General Roberto Ancan, commander of the army's 1st Infantry Division, also confirmed Dar's death.
He called it a "significant accomplishment of the government and the people of Lanao del Sur who worked together to rid their beloved province of terrorists". 
The militant group carried out the siege of southern Marawi City for five months in 2017 before some leaders were reported killed by the military in air strikes and street battles, among them Isnilon Hapilon, Daesh's appointed "leader" in Southeast Asia.
Abu Dar, who was seen in a seized video footage sitting beside Hapilon, had managed to escape before government forces were able to take back Marawi, according to local media. 
"Well, for now his group is leaderless," Lorenzana said. "We are monitoring who will replace Dar." 


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