MANILA (AFP)Islamic State-linked (ISIS) militants killed 11 Philippine soldiers and wounded 14 others on Friday (April 17) in the group's deadliest attack in over a year, the military said.
The extremists belong to Abu Sayyafa group based in the southern Philippines that has engaged in bombings as well as kidnappings of Western tourists and missionaries for ransom since the early 1990s.
They also have ties to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria militants seeking to set up a caliphate in South-east Asia.
The attack occurred on a remote island in the country's south.
Regional military commander Lieutenant-General Cirilito Sobejana told reporters Abu Sayyaf carried out the attack, adding the soldiers were ambushed and had been pursuing security operations against the militants in Sulu province.
Most of the Philippines is under quarantine to stem the spread of coronavirus that has infected nearly 6,000 people and killed more than 380 nationwide.
Friday's attack is the deadliest involving Abu Sayyaf militants since two suicide bombers blew themselves up at the Catholic cathedral in Sulu province in January the previous year, killing 21 people.
The military have since mounted operations to free hostages held by Abu Sayyaf, including crew members of foreign cargo vessels abducted in Sulu waters.
An Abu Sayyaf faction took part in the May 2017 seizure by ISIS-linked gunmen of the southern Philippine city of Marawi.
Philippine troops recaptured the bombed out city after a five-month campaign that claimed more than a thousand lives.