«In the Philippines 17 soldiers were wounded and two terrorists died in fighting after Moro Islamic Liberation Front (affiliated with Al Qaeda) attacked two outposts in the town of Tipo Tipo on Basilan Island. The military states that Abu Sayyaf fighters were involved as well, and the attack on the outpost was sophisticated, including IED’s planted on the retreat route.
This is just another front in the global war on terror and the attack breaks a ceasefire just a week after the Islamists demanded that troops be removed from the island with the threat of attacks if they were not.
Capsule analysis:
The Southern Philippines Islamist Jihadis can bluster, but as elsewhere they can’t mount effective attacks against prepared military forces. Expect one to two more abortive attacks on military forces before they revert to form. They prefer soft, unprepared targets and will likely revert to terror bombings, kidnappings, and IED attacks in the months ahead if the truce is not re-established.»
Normally, there are NO news in Spain about Islamist terrorism in the Philippines, something which is striking specially considering that is one of the most menaced countries in the world, specially in the Mindanao region, by precisely the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. It is really true what Thanos writes: MILF can’t mount any succesful attack against prepared military forces, with very few cases (i.e. the intent to free the Italian Catholic priest Giancarlo Bossi last year, which ended with several troops beheaded) being succesful and because the troops are severely outnumbered (in this case, there were 50 Marines against 300 terrorists). And this even when, as in this case, the attack was «sophisticated», that is, with good weapons and well prepared.
An IED can be almost anything with any type of material and initiator. It is a “homemade” device that is designed to cause death or injury by using explosives alone or in combination with toxic chemicals, biological toxins, or radiological material. IEDs can be produced in varying sizes, functioning methods, containers, and delivery methods. IEDs can utilize commercial or military explosives, homemade explosives, or military ordnance and ordnance components.They are unique in nature because the IED builder has had to improvise with the materials at hand. Designed to defeat a specific target or type of target, they generally become more difficult to detect and protect against as they become more sophisticated.
Un IED puede prepararse con cualquier tipo de material o iniciador. Es un dispositivo «casero» que está diseñado para causar muerte o heridas usando explosivos solamente o combinados con materiales químicos o radiactivos o toxinas biológicas. Los IEDs pueden producirse en varios tamaños o con distintos métodos de funcionamiento, contenedores o métodos de desarrollo. Pueden usar explosivos de naturaleza comercial o militar, caseros o componentes militares.
Deja un comentario