Sulu rep claims Azzimudie is 'alive and kicking'
The sultanate of Sulu dismissed Malaysian press reports that Azzimudie Kiram, who is leading the armed group in Lahad Datu, has been killed in the attack by Malaysian forces this morning.
The sultanate of Sulu dismissed Malaysian press reports that Azzimudie Kiram, who is leading the armed group in Lahad Datu, has been killed in the attack by Malaysian forces this morning.
According to InterAksyon.com , the online news portal of Philippine TV channel TV5, the sultanate's spokesperson Abraham Idjirani had communicated with Azzimuddie by phone in front of reporters during a press briefing at Manila this afternoon.
"Raja Muda called up. Now this will put to rest the black propaganda currently being waged by the Malaysian government that our brothers were obliterated by the Malaysian police and military.
"Datu Raja Muda (Azzimudie) and his followers are all alive and still kicking," Idjirani ( right ) was quoted as saying.
He described Azzimudie as being "like a fox", because the latter is constantly moving from one place to another to evade the Malaysian forces.
Utusan Malaysia , in its text-message news alert sent this afternoon, quoted military sources as saying that Azzimuddie is believed to have been killed in the air strike.
Earlier, Idjirani also claimed that he was told by Azzimudie that the bombs dropped by the Malaysian air force had not hit their positions but had, instead, fallen on security forces that had massed for the assault.
However, inspector-general of police Ismail Omar claimed earlier today that no casualty has been recorded on the Malaysian side, while casualties among the intruders have yet to be ascertained.
On the other hand, ABS-CBNnews reported Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairperson Nur Misuari as warning Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak against killing Azzimudie and his men.
"Once you do that, that will be tantamount to declaration of war against our people and the Moro National Liberation Front.
"It is our sacred duty to protect our people," Misuari was quoted as saying during a press conference in Manila today.
"Every drop of their blood is sacred to us," he added.
Meanwhile, AFP reports that militants loyal to a self-proclaimed sultan survived a bombing raid and ground offensive launched by Malaysian security forces today, the group’s spokesperson said.
More than 200 men loyal to the sultan who have been in Malaysia’s Sabah state for about three weeks moved outside the area that was attacked before the offensive operation began, the sultan’s spokesperson, Idjirani, told AFP .
“They heard a lot of explosions and saw two bombs being dropped by Malaysian aircraft,” Idjirani said in Manila.
“But this was happening away from where he and his men are.”
Idjirani said he spoke with the leader of the armed men in Sabah by telephone at 3pm local time.
“They are fine,” Idjirani said.
Related stories
IGP: Security forces on careful hunt for enemies
Nazri: Kg Tanduo incident an intrusion, not a war LIVE REPORTS
Doubts emerge over military assault on invaders
Protests in Manila, Najib's photo burnt
F/A-18 and Hawk fighters bomb Kg Tanduo
PM backs massive ops against intruders
IGP: Our forces face resistance from intruders
Sulu intruders will face murder charges
Sultan Jamalul says his people will 'fight to last man'
Fears linger in Semporna although fighting is over
Sabahans petition to 'remain Malaysians'
Tighter security in red zones, Lahad Datu town calm
'M'sian-trained' Moro fighters to aid Sulu invaders
Mahathir denies country had trained MNLF fighters
'No evidence Moro fighters will also attack Sabah'
Between a fluid region and a hard state
Suspicions over Arroyo's hand in Sabah standoff
Selangor to set up RM10mil fund for slain cops
'Semporna safe, no guns fired last night'
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.