Philippines says top Malaysian militant killed in Marawi, but ‘there will be more’
Mahmud Ahmad was a former lecturer in Islamic studies at the University of Malaya who travelled to the Philippines to link up with militant groups
A top Malaysian terrorist, who allegedly conspired with Filipino militants to create an Islamic caliphate in the southern Philippines, has been killed in a military operation in Marawi City, a military spokesman said on Friday.
“He died during the assault of our troops the other night, where 12 other rebels died,” Major General Restituto Padilla told reporters.
Padilla said Mahmud Ahmad’s death was witnessed by one of the hostages held by the militants, but authorities had not yet recovered his body.
Authorities suspect he played a key role in financing the two groups’ siege in Marawi that began on May 23, triggering nearly five months of fighting that has claimed the lives of nearly 900 militants, more than 160 soldiers and police and dozens of civilians.
Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute, one of Maute leaders, were killed on Monday, prompting President Rodrigo Duterte on the following day to declare Marawi City “liberated from terrorist influence”.