Abu Sayyaf Leader Confirmed Dead

The leader of the Philippine based terrorist group Abu Sayyaf has been confirmed dead.

DNA test results confirmed that the leader of the al-Qaida-linked group Abu Sayyaf was killed during a clash with Philippine troops in September, officials said Saturday.

Word of Khadaffy Janjalani’s death came just days after U.S.-backed Philippine troops killed his possible successor, senior Abu Sayyaf commander Abu Sulaiman, who was wanted in the beheading of a California tourist and the kidnapping of two American missionaries.

The deaths of Janjalani and Sulaiman mark a major victory in the campaign to wipe out Islamic militants in the south of the archipelago after years of bombings and kidnappings.

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James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.