AN emir of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Southeast Asia on Wednesday was killed in an encounter with security forces in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.
Abu Zacharia, also the leader of the terrorist Daulah Islamiyah- Maute Terror Group that laid siege in Marawi City in May 2017, died in a gunfight in Bgy. Bangon in Marawi City.
The five-month gun battle in Marawi left the city in ruins and resulted in the death of 168 soldiers and policemen, 47 civilians, and 1,000 terrorists.
Zacariah, whose real name is Faharudin Hadji Satar, took over the helm of ISIS Southeast Asia in late 2021, according to the military. He was the target of previous military operations in Lanao del Sur.
Members of the 103rd Infantry Brigade and the Philippine National Police were about to serve an arrest warrant against Zacharia when he threw a mortar and two hand grenades to the troops, that triggered the encounter.
A soldier was also wounded in the firefight.
Few hours later, a follow-up operation in pursuit of Daulah Islamiyah sub-leader Joharie Sandab alias “Morsid,” who also had an arrest warrant, led to his death in a gunfight.
According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command, Sandab was the Dawlah Islamiyah-Philippines sub-leader and Amir for Finance and Logistics.
“This is a significant breakthrough in our campaign against the Daulah Islamiyah. We are certain that the death of Abu Zacharia will be the downfall of the IS-inspired group in our area of operation,” said WesMinCon chief Lt. Gen. Roy Gallido.
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