Philippine military offensive sparks violence 

 -  2009 
<br/><br/> A large military offensive broke on 12 August 2009, resulting in the deaths of 23 soldiers and 20 militants when 400 troops of the Philippine military went against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) rebels in Basilan.  The military has blamed the Moro Islamic Libreration Front (MILF) for aiding the ASG rebels during the clashes. 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>PHILIPPINES--MILITANT GROUPS<br/>PHILIPPINES--TERRORISM<br/>ABU SAYYAF<br/>MORO ISLAMIC LIBERATION FRONT