PHILIPPINES: UNITED STATES FLYS MORE TROOPS IN ZAMBOANGA HOURS AFTER PHILIPPINE SOLDIERS CLASHED NEARBY WITH MUSLIM ABU SAYYAF REBELS
Record ID:
337967
PHILIPPINES: UNITED STATES FLYS MORE TROOPS IN ZAMBOANGA HOURS AFTER PHILIPPINE SOLDIERS CLASHED NEARBY WITH MUSLIM ABU SAYYAF REBELS
- Title: PHILIPPINES: UNITED STATES FLYS MORE TROOPS IN ZAMBOANGA HOURS AFTER PHILIPPINE SOLDIERS CLASHED NEARBY WITH MUSLIM ABU SAYYAF REBELS
- Date: 23rd January 2002
- Summary: ZAMBOANGA, PHILIPPINES (JANUARY 24, 2002) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. LV: U.S. AIRFORCE C-17 TAXIING AT THE EDWIN ANDREWS AIRBASE 0.04 2. CLOSE-UP OF C-17 (2 SHOTS) 0.31 3. SLV: AMERICAN SOLDIERS ONBOARD A TRUCK 0.36 4. SLV: AMERICAN SOLDIERS 0.39 5. WS: PARKED US AIRFORCE C-17 0.42 6. VARIOUS OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS CARRYING BAGS AND FIREARMS WALKING (2 SHOTS) 1.00 7. SLV: ARMED TROOPS CONFERRING 1.07 8. PAN: US AIRFORCE C-17 DEPARTING 1.21 9. SV: SOLDIERS 1.23 10. SCU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED U.S. SOLDIER SAYING: "These forces are training with the Philippine soldiers, just 60 soldiers are here." 1.34 11. PULL OUT/CU/MV: US AIRFORCE C130 TAXIING/ COCKPIT/ GROUND CREW (3 SHOTS) 1.55 12. VARIOUS OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS GETTING OUT OF C130 (5 SHOTS) 2.31 13. LV/MV/WS: BAGGAGE TRUCK (3 SHOTS) 2.43 14. VARIOUS OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS CARRYING BAGS 2.48 ZAMBOANGA, PHILIPPINES (JANUARY 23, 2002) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 15. VARIOUS OF ANTI-U.S. PROTEST OUTSIDE THE SOUTHERN COMMAND HEADQUARTERS (9 SHOTS) 3.32 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 7th February 2002 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: ZAMBOANGA, PHILIPPINES
- Country: Philippines
- Reuters ID: LVA9VWWYHYYOTOMLZWFDIWA87FFM
- Story Text: The United States has flown in more troops and equipment
to the southern Philippines, hours after Philippine
soldiers clashed nearby with Muslim rebels linked to Osama bin
Laden.
A U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane landed in the
southern city of Zamboanga on Thursday (January 24) with the
troops, dressed in military fatigues and carrying automatic
rifles, accompanied by vehicles for use in joint exercises
which get under way next week. Hundreds of U.S. soldiers are
expected to participate in the exercises, widely seen as the
biggest expansion of Washington's war against terrorism
outside Afghanistan.
Philippine officials said the U.S. forces had come from
Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaii and in Okinawa, Japan.
At least eight Abu Sayyaf rebels linked to bin Laden's al
Qaeda network were killed in a gunbattle with Philippine
troops on Wednesday on the nearby island of Basilan, 900 km
(560 miles) south of Manila, Cimatu said.
The clash occurred in a jungle area on the slope of a
mountain in Basilan, an island three times the size of
Singapore and stronghold of Abu Sayyaf group which has been
holding a U.S. missionary couple hostage there for almost
eight months.
Next week's joint exercises won crucial backing on
Wednesday when the National Security Council affirmed
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's decision to accept U.S.
"help" in fighting the Abu Sayyaf.
The issue has polarised the country, with financial
markets welcoming assistance in neutralising the rebels, who
claim to be fighting for an independent Islamic state in the
south but pursue kidnapping as their main activity.
Critics have slammed the government for allowing U.S.
soldiers into the country for what they see as a combat role
against Islamic extremists.
Under the constitution, foreign troops are only allowed
into the country for training and transit purposes.
The Philippine military has insisted the U.S. troops would
not go on patrol or join Philippine troops on assault
operations on Basilan although there are plans for special
forces to go to the island.
U.S. military officials also toed the official line.
But many doubt the official line, saying it is highly
unusual for training exercises to be held in an area where
there are enemy forces.
The new arrivals will be joining about 50 U.S. soldiers
already in Zamboanga city as an advance team for a 660-member
American contingent that will train Philippine troops.
The U.S. personnel will include 160 special forces troops,
split into 12-man teams, which will join local troops in
combat patrol. They will be armed but will fire only in
self-defence.
The United States launched strikes on Afghanistan in
October to flush out bin Laden, its prime suspect in the
September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, and punish
his Taliban protectors.
- Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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