Battle of Basilan (2014)

Battle of Basilan (2014)
Part of the Moro conflict
view of Basilan (red) within larger Philippines
Date April 11–30, 2014 Location Basilan, Southern Philippines Result Philippine victory Operation deemed a success in driving Jihadist presence from Basilan Mission objective failed in capturing Abu Sayyaf commanders
Belligerents
Philippines Armed Forces of the Philippines Moro National Liberation Front	Abu Sayyaf Rogue MNLF fighters Jemaah Islamiyah
Commanders and leaders
Pres. Benigno Aquino III Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista Brig. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. Capt. Richard Encisco Lt. Gen. Rustico Geurrero Lt. Col. John Paolo Perez Ghazali Jaafar Hamza Sapaton	Puriji Indama Nurhassan Jamiri Isnilon Totoni Hapilon
Units involved
Armed Forces of the Philippines - Western Mindanao Command 1st Infantry Division Army 101st Brigade 104th Army Brigade 18th Infantry Battalion 1st Scout Ranger Regiment MNLF Division/Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) 114th Brigade Continued military operations (2nd phase) Philippine Marine Corps	Abu Sayyaf Rogue MNLF fighters Jemaah Islamiyah
Strength
~1,000 Approx. 200 men of the Scout Ranger Regiment Approx. 150 of the 114th Brigade	~200 Approx. 180 Abu Sayyaf militants Approx. 20 rogue MNLF fighters 4 Jemaah Islamiyah operatives (3 Malaysians and 1 Arab)
Casualties and losses
2 soldiers killed, 31 wounded 4 members killed (2nd phase of operations) - 1 marine killed, 14 wounded	Casualties: 18 militants killed, 14 wounded (2nd phase of operations) - 14 militants killed
Note: MNLF engaged both army and Sayyaf militia Operations have continued in neighboring islands with the same mission objective

Battle of Basilan was a military offensive launched by the Philippine military to apprehend two lead commanders in the Abu Sayyaf Islamic militia wanted for corruption, money laundering, and terrorism related charges. The main cause of the operation was Sayyaf leader Indama and his followers threatening and attempting to extort money from a circumferential road network. The two-day offensive ended with both suspects evading capture and the island of Basilan falling under government authority. Both the army and MNLF collaborated in fighting alongside for a duration of the operation the first such instance since a truce. However collaborators within the Sayyaf militia included members of the MNLF who sympathized with their cause or had public relations with some of the militants.^[1][2]

The army renewed its offensive in detaining wanted leaders after the first of operations failed its main objective. So far clashes have been reported in neighboring islands such as Sulu involving militant elements who took refuge from the Basilan operation. Indama and prominent Sayyaf leaders are believed to be among those residing in the area who evaded certain capture by the army.^[3]