Editing Abu Sayyaf (section)

==Background and history==
In the early 1970s, the [[Moro National Liberation Front]] (MNLF) was the main Muslim rebel group fighting in [[Basilan]] and [[Mindanao]].<ref name="TKBAbu" /> [[Abdurajik Abubakar Janjalani|Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani]], the older brother of [[Khadaffy Janjalani]], had been a teacher from Basilan, who studied Islamic theology and [[Arabic]] in Libya, [[Syria]] and [[Saudi Arabia]] during the 1980s.<ref name="PacCom">{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Emily |date=September 21, 2006 |title=Abu Sayyaf History |url=http://www.pacom.mil/piupdates/abusayyafhist.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123213349/http://www.pacom.mil/piupdates/abusayyafhist.shtml |archive-date=January 23, 2009 |publisher=U.S. Pacific Command}}</ref><ref name="BBCWho">{{cite news |date=December 30, 2000 |title=Who are the Abu Sayyaf? |publisher=BBC |location=London |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/719623.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616134727/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/719623.stm |archive-date=June 16, 2022}}</ref> Abdurajak went to Afghanistan to fight against the [[Soviet Union]] and the Afghan government during the [[Soviet–Afghan War]]. During that period, he was alleged to have met [[Osama bin Laden]] and been given $6&nbsp;million to establish a more Islamic group drawn from the MNLF.<ref name="NBR">{{cite web |last=Abuza |first=Zachary |date=December 5, 2003 |title=Funding Terrorism in Southeast Asia: The Financial Network of Al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah |url=http://www.nbr.org/publications/analysis/pdf/vol14no5.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927184541/http://www.nbr.org/publications/analysis/pdf/vol14no5.pdf |archive-date=September 27, 2006 |access-date=September 20, 2006 |publisher=The National Bureau of Asian Research}}</ref> Both Abdurajak Abubakar and Khadaffy were natives of [[Isabela, Basilan|Isabela City]], one of the poorest [[cities of the Philippines]] and capital of Basilan.<ref>{{cite book|last=Banlaoi|first=Rommel|title=Al-Harakatul Al-Islamiyyah: Essays on the Abu Sayyaf Group, Terrorism in the Philippines from Al A Qaeda to ISIS|url=https://www.academia.edu/40446207|via=Academia| date=January 2019 |publisher=Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research|access-date=October 5, 2019}}</ref>

===Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani leadership (1989–1998)===
In the early 1990s, the MNLF moderated into governing the [[Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao]], becoming the ruling government in majority Muslim areas of Mindanao in 1996. When Abdurajak returned to Basilan in 1990, he gathered radical members of the old MNLF who wanted to resume armed struggle and in 1991 established the Abu Sayyaf.<ref name="TKBAbu" /> Janjalani was funded by a Saudi Islamist, [[Mohammed Jamal Khalifa]], who came to the Philippines in 1987 or 1988 and was head of the Philippine branch of the [[International Islamic Relief Organization]] foundation. A defector from Abu Sayyaf told Filipino authorities, "The IIRO was behind the construction of Mosques, school buildings, and other livelihood projects" but only "in areas penetrated, highly influenced and controlled by the Abu Sayyaf". According to the defector, "Only 10 to 30% of the foreign funding goes to the legitimate relief and livelihood projects and the rest go to terrorist operations".<ref name="abuza">{{Cite journal |last=Abuza |first=Zachary |date=2003 |title=Funding Terrorism in Southeast Asia: The Financial Network of Al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25798639 |journal=Contemporary Southeast Asia |volume=25 |issue=2 |pages=169–199 |jstor=25798639 |s2cid=153657097 |issn=0129-797X}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web|title=National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States|url=http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/911/archive/hearing3/9-11Commission_Hearing_2003-07-09.htm|access-date=June 19, 2012|date=July 9, 2003|quote=Mr. Gunaratna: Sir, Mohammad Jamal Khalifa&nbsp;... arrived in the Philippines in 1988 and he became the first director, the founding director, of the International Islamic Relief Organization of Saudi Arabia.}}</ref><ref name="TFSR-120">{{cite book|last1=Giraldo|first1=Jeanne K.|last2=Trinkunas|first2=Harold A.|title=Terrorism Financing and State Responses: A Comparative Perspective|publisher=Stanford University Press|page=120|url={{google books|plainurl=y |id=BOfC7vJOsdIC|page=120}}|access-date=May 13, 2015}}</ref><ref name="HC-MJK">{{cite web |last=Khalifa |first=Mohammed Jamal |title=Complete 911 Timeline. Mohammed Jamal Khalifa |url=http://www.historycommons.org/timeline.jsp?other_al-qaeda_operatives=complete_911_timeline_mohammed_jamal_khalifa&timeline=complete_911_timeline |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092750/http://www.historycommons.org/timeline.jsp?other_al-qaeda_operatives=complete_911_timeline_mohammed_jamal_khalifa&timeline=complete_911_timeline |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |website=History Commons}}</ref> Khalifa married a local woman, Alice "Jameelah" Yabo.<ref>{{cite book|last=Abuza|first=Zachary|title=Balik-Terrorism: The Return of the Abu Sayyaf|publisher=Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College|location=Carlisle PA|isbn=978-1-58487-208-5|url=http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/pub625.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/pub625.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=dead|page=47|date=September 2005|access-date=June 19, 2012|quote=Based on IIRO documents at the PSEC, Khalifa was one of five incorporators who signed the documents of registration; another was Khalifa's wife, Alice 'Jameelah' Yabo.}}</ref>

By 1995, Abu Sayyaf was active in large-scale bombings and attacks. The first attack was the assault on the town of [[Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay|Ipil]], [[Zamboanga del Sur]] in April 1995. This year marked the escape of 20-year-old Khadaffy Janjalani from [[Camp Crame]] in [[Manila]] along with another member named Jovenal Bruno. On December 18, 1998, Abdurajak was killed in a gun battle with the [[Philippine National Police]] in [[Basilan]].<ref name="TimeAsiaReturn" /> He was thought to have been about 39.<ref name="BBCWho" />

The death of Aburajak marked a turning point in Abu Sayyaf operations. The group shifted to kidnappings, murders, and robberies, under his younger brother Khadaffy. The [[Sulu Archipelago]] experienced some of the fiercest fights between government troops and Abu Sayyaf through the early 1990s. It was reported that Abu Sayyaf began expanding into neighboring [[Malaysia]] and [[Indonesia]] by that time.<ref name="PacCom" />

=== Khadaffy Janjalani leadership (1999–2007) ===
Until his death in a gun battle on September 4, 2006, [[Khadaffy Janjalani|Khaddafy Janjalani]] was considered the nominal leader of the group by the [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]]. Then-23-year-old Khadaffy took leadership of one of the Abu Sayyaf's factions in an internecine struggle.<ref name="TimeAsiaReturn" /><ref name="BBCFresh">{{cite news|title=Fresh fighting in S Philippines|publisher=BBC|date=September 7, 2006|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5322680.stm|location=London}}</ref> He then worked to consolidate his leadership, causing the group to appear inactive for a period. After his leadership was secured, Abu Sayyaf began a new strategy, taking hostages. The group's motive for kidnapping became more financial than religious during this period, according to locals. Hostage money probably provides the group's financing.<ref name="NBR" />

[[File:Jainal Antel Sali, Jr.jpg|thumb|left|Photograph of [[Jainal Antel Sali Jr.]] in 2006. Sali was later killed during a heavy gunfight with the Philippine authorities in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |author=Gomez |first=Jim |date=January 17, 2007 |title=Philippines says militant's death a blow |publisher=Yahoo! News |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070117/ap_on_re_as/philippines_abu_sayyaf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070118204619/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070117/ap_on_re_as/philippines_abu_sayyaf |archive-date=January 18, 2007}}</ref>]]

Abu Sayyaf expanded its operations to Malaysia in 2000, when it [[2000 Sipadan kidnappings|abducted]] foreigners from two resorts. This action was condemned by most Islamic leaders. It was responsible for the kidnapping and murder of more than 30 foreigners and Christian clerics and workers, including Martin and [[Gracia Burnham]].<ref name="CNNCapture">{{cite news|title=Manilla captures senior Abu Sayyaf|publisher=CNN|date=December 7, 2003|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/12/07/philippines.abusayyaf/index.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-hostage describes jungle ordeal|publisher=CNN|date=May 9, 2003|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/05/08/cnna.burnham/index.html}}</ref> An influential commander named [[Abu Sabaya]] was killed at sea in June 2002 while trying to evade local forces.<ref name="ict">{{cite web|title=Prominent Abu Sayyaf Commander Believed Dead|url=http://www.ict.org.il/spotlight/det.cfm?id=796|publisher=Institute for Counter-Terrorism|access-date=September 20, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060105081224/http://www.ict.org.il/spotlight/det.cfm?id=796|archive-date=January 5, 2006}}</ref> His death was considered a crucial turning point for the group, as the number of operatives working for Abu Sayyaf sharply decreased from 1,100 in 2001 to 450 in late 2002, and had since been stagnant for the next ten years.<ref name="East">{{cite book|last=East|first=Bob|author-link=Bob East|title=Terror Truncated: The Decline of the Abu Sayyaf Group from the Crucial Year 2002|date=2013|publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing|location=[[Newcastle upon Tyne]], United Kingdom|isbn=978-1-4438-4461-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pzgyBwAAQBAJ|access-date=December 3, 2019|pages=3, 23}}</ref>

Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot, one of the group's leaders, was captured in [[Sulu]] in December 2003.<ref name="TimeAsiaReturn" /><ref name="CNNCapture" /><ref name="BBCProfiles">{{cite news|title=Profiles of dead Abu Sayyaf leaders|publisher=BBC|date=March 15, 2005|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4350033.stm|location=London}}</ref><ref name="BBCBloody">{{cite news|title=Bloody end to Manila jail break|publisher=BBC|date=March 15, 2005|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4349471.stm|location=London}}</ref> On 14 March 2005, inmates from the [[Abu Sayyaf Group]] rioted inside [[Camp Bagong Diwa]] in [[Taguig]] in an apparent escape attempt and barricaded the second floor of the building, leading to a standoff which ended the next day when government forces stormed the prison. 24 Abu Sayyaf members, including Commanders Robot, Kosovo (Alhamser Limbong) and Global (Nadjmi Sabdullah), were killed, along with three prison guards and a police officer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Punay|first=Edu|date=16 March 2005 |title=Troops storm jail; 23 dead|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2005/03/16/270518/troops-storm-jail-23-dead |access-date=2 July 2023 |website=Philstar.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

An explosion at a military base in Jolo, on February 18, 2006, was blamed on the group by Brig. General Alexander Aleo.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|title=Blast at US Philippines army base|publisher=BBC|date=February 18, 2006|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4727842.stm|location=London}}</ref> Khadaffy was indicted in the [[United States District Court for the District of Columbia]] for his alleged involvement in terrorist attacks, including hostage-taking and murder, against United States nationals and other foreign nationals.<ref name="BBCIndict">{{cite news|title=US indicts Abu Sayyaf leaders|publisher=BBC|date=July 23, 2002|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2147381.stm|location=London}}</ref> Consequently, on February 24, 2006, Khadaffy was among six fugitives in the second and most recent group of indicted fugitives to be added to the [[FBI Most Wanted Terrorists]] list along with two fellow members, [[Isnilon Totoni Hapilon]] and [[Jainal Antel Sali Jr.]]<ref name="CNNFBI">{{cite news|title=FBI puts al-Zarqawi high on its list|date=February 24, 2006|publisher=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/02/24/zarqawi.mostwanted/index.html}}</ref><ref name="HouseIndict">{{cite news|title=Tiahrt responds to the Abu Sayyaf terrorist indictments|publisher=United States House of Representatives|url=http://www.house.gov/tiahrt/communications/press_releases/2002/07232002.htm|access-date=September 20, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060910033008/http://www.house.gov/tiahrt/communications/press_releases/2002/07232002.htm|archive-date=September 10, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Terhapilon2000.jpg|thumb|right|[[Isnilon Totoni Hapilon]], one of the [[FBI Most Wanted Terrorists]], was an Abu Sayyaf member until he was killed by the [[Philippine Army]] during the [[battle of Marawi]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Banlaoi |first=Rommel |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1126644229 |title=Marawi Siege and Its Aftermath: The Continuing Terrorist Threats |date=November 2019 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publisher |isbn=978-1527538245 |oclc=1126644229}}</ref> on October 16, 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41632434|title=Philippines military 'kills Islamist Isnilon Hapilon'|work=BBC News|date=October 16, 2017|access-date=October 17, 2017}}</ref>]]
On December 13, 2006, it was reported that Abu Sayyaf members may have been planning attacks during the [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations]] (ASEAN) summit in the Philippines. The group was reported to have trained alongside [[Jemaah Islamiyah]] militants. The plot was reported to have involved detonating a car bomb in [[Cebu City]] where the summit was to take place.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bayron |first=Heda |date=December 13, 2006 |title=Manila Again Denies Terror Plot Led to Postponement of Asia Summits |publisher=Voice of America (VoA) |url=http://voanews.com/english/2006-12-13-voa11.cfm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20061213232350/http://voanews.com/english/2006-12-13-voa11.cfm?renderforprint=1&textonly=1&&CFID=40218514&CFTOKEN=43906189 |archive-date=December 13, 2006}}</ref> On December 27, the Philippine military reported that Khaddafi's remains had been recovered near Patikul, in Jolo and that DNA tests had been ordered to confirm the discovery. He was allegedly shot in the neck in an encounter with government troops in September on Luba Hills in [[Patikul, Sulu]].

===2010–2024===
In a video published in the summer of 2014, senior Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and other masked men swore their allegiance or "[[bay'ah]]" to [[Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi]], the "[[Islamic State]]" (IS) caliph. "We pledge to obey him on anything which our hearts desire or not and to value him more than anyone else. We will not take any emir (leader) other than him unless we see in him any obvious act of disbelief that could be questioned by Allah in the hereafter."<ref name="IBT-9-2014">{{cite news|last=FlorCruz|first=Michelle|title=Philippine Terror Group Abu Sayyaf May Be Using ISIS Link For Own Agenda|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/philippine-terror-group-abu-sayyaf-may-be-using-isis-link-own-agenda-1695156|access-date=May 16, 2015|work=[[International Business Times]]|date=September 25, 2014}}</ref> For many years prior to this, Islamic State's competitor, al-Qaeda, had the support of Abu Sayyaf "through various connections".<ref name="IBT-9-2014"/> Observers were skeptical about whether the pledge would lead to Abu Sayyaf becoming an ISIS outpost in Southeast Asia, or was simply a way for the group to take advantage of the newer group's international publicity.<ref name="IBT-9-2014"/>

In May 2017, Hapilon and other members of Abu Sayyaf joined the Islamic extremist [[Maute Group]] based in [[Lanao del Sur]] during their attempt to seize control of [[Marawi City]], sparking the [[Battle of Marawi]] which destroyed much of the city and ended with his killing, along with that of Maute leader [[Omar Maute]] by government forces in October.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/16/17/terrorists-isnilon-hapilon-omar-maute-killed-in-marawi-battle|title=Terrorists Isnilon Hapilon, Omar Maute killed in Marawi battle|work=ABS-CBN News|access-date=October 16, 2017}}</ref>

In August 2020, MNLF chairman [[Nur Misuari]] turned in Abu Sayyaf sub-commander Anduljihad "Idang" Susukan to the [[Philippine National Police]] four months after Susukan surrendered to Misuari in [[Davao City]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Mangosing|first=Frances|title=PH military unaware Abu Sayyaf leader Susukan was in Davao City, Lorenzana says|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1321409/ph-military-unaware-abu-sayyaf-leader-susukan-was-in-davao-city-lorenzana-says|access-date=August 14, 2020|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer News |date=August 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Marquez|first1=Consuelo|last2=Alipala|first2=Julie S.|title=Abu Sayyaf leader Susukan handed over to police; PNP chief thanks Misuari|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1321425/abu-sayyaf-leader-susukan-handed-over-to-police-pnp-chief-thanks-misuari|access-date=August 14, 2020|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer News |date=August 13, 2020}}</ref>

By 2022, the Islamic State's East Asia Province had absorbed pro-IS groups in Indonesia and a few militants in Thailand. In the latter country, alleged IS members have become involved in the [[South Thailand insurgency]], claiming their first attack in [[Pattani Province|Pattani]] on April 15, 2022.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://jamestown.org/program/briefs-366/| title = Briefs |author=Jacob Zenn | work = Jamestown Foundation | date = June 3, 2022 | access-date = June 11, 2022 }}</ref>

In 2023, the government declared that [[Sulu|Sulu province]] was free of Abu Sayyaf militants.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mendoza |first=John Eric| date=September 7, 2023 |title= PH Army officially declares Sulu province Abu Sayyaf-free|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1828264/ph-army-officially-declares-sulu-province-abu-sayyaf-free |access-date= March 23, 2024 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/ |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=www.msn.com}}</ref> In December, ISIS declared responsibility for the deadly [[Mindanao State University bombing]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Chen |first1=Heather |last2=Stambaugh |first2=Alex |date=2023-12-03 |title=ISIS claims deadly blast at Catholic mass in southern Philippines |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/02/asia/explosion-sunday-mass-gym-philippines-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=CNN }}</ref>

On March 22, 2024, the Philippines announced that Abu Sayyaf had been "fully dismantled", bringing an end to the decades-long jihadist insurgency. However, the group is still operating and attacking Philippine security forces.<ref name="ASG dismantled"/>

On April 24, 2024, Abu Sayyaf militants engaged in a brief shootout with police officers in [[Hadji Mohammad Ajul]], Basilan, leaving at least one militant dead.<ref name="ASG destruction"/> After April 2024, the group was inactive following a further wave of continuous military operations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/917793/basilan-abu-sayyaf-free/story/|title=Basilan set to be declared Abu Sayyaf-free; 'wanted' posters removed|work=GMA News|date=August 21, 2024|access-date=December 23, 2024}}</ref>

On July 6, 2024, President [[Bongbong Marcos]] commended the joint efforts and sacrifices that resulted in the weakening of Abu Sayyaf during his visit to the headquarters of the [[11th Infantry Division (Philippines)|11th Infantry Division]] (ID) at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/912458/marcos-hails-afp-troops-in-mindanao-for-weakening-abu-sayyaf/story/|title=Marcos hails AFP troops in Mindanao for weakening Abu Sayyaf|last=Cordero|first=Ted|work=GMA News|date=July 6, 2024|access-date=December 23, 2024}}</ref>

On December 23, 2024, three members of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) were killed in an ambush by unidentified gunmen in Basilan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1240537|title=3 ISAFP personnel killed in Basilan ambush|last=Garcia Jr.|first=Teofilo|work=Philippine News Agency|date=December 24, 2024|access-date=December 29, 2024}}</ref> Despite the attack, [[Basilan province]] was declared free from Abu Sayyaf militants after the last remaining members surrendered to the authorities on December 26, 2024.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/12/28/2410218/basilan-declared-sayyaf-free|title=Basilan declared Sayyaf-free|last1=Pareño|first1=Roel|last2=Unson|first2=John|work=The Philippine Star|date=December 28, 2024|access-date=December 29, 2024}}</ref>

The Philippine government is currently working continuously to revitalize and rejuvenate the dark image of former Abu Sayyaf strongholds with the restoration of peace and increased security with social and economic development for the inhabitants.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3288982/philippines-sulu-province-reborn-after-years-abu-sayyaf-horrors|title=Is the Philippines' Sulu province reborn after years of Abu Sayyaf horrors?|last=Maiten|first=Jeoffrey|work=South China Morning Post|date=December 2, 2024|access-date=December 24, 2024|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/24/philippines-tourism-sulu-jolo-tawi/|title=Once a war zone, southern Philippines rebrands as tourist destination|last1=San Diego|first1=Martin|last2=Tan|first2=Rebecca|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=December 24, 2024|access-date=December 29, 2024|url-access=subscription}}</ref>