Basilan, Philippines
More than 50 prisoners, mostly Islamic extremists with the Abu Sayyaf terror group, broke out of prison in the Philippines this week. Most were recaptured within a few days, but of the 19 still at large, eight were members of Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic separatist group with ties to al Qaida. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the entire island of Basilan cordoned off, to prevent the fugitives from escaping to other provinces. The Philippines has made some recent progress against Abu Sayyaf. Last week, Philippine troops killed Hamsiraji Sali, a terrorist who was wanted by the U.S. in connection with the kidnapping, in 2001, of three Americans, two of whom were murdered.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
New FBI Director Kash Patel could profit heavily from foreign interestsThe Explainer Patel holds more than $1 million in Chinese fashion company Shein
-
Magazine solutions - February 28, 2025Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - February 28, 2025
-
Magazine printables - February 28, 2025Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - February 28, 2025
