Government forces kill 2 Abu Sayyaf militants with help of MILF

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Two Abu Sayyaf militants had been killed in a clash with government forces and Muslim rebels today in Basilan, the military said.

The troops were conducting a combat operation to revive governance of Al-Barka city in Basilan when they encountered Abu Sayyaf militants at around 5:45 a.m. local time, according to Sally Christine Magno, civil-military operations officer of the Army's 104th Brigade.

After seven hours' firefight, two militants were killed and two others injured as government forces gained fire support from a attack helicopter. Six soldiers were wounded but are now in stable condition.

According to a statement by the military, government forces also gained support from local Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) community during the clash.

The clash came weeks after 44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force were killed during an intense firefight with MILF in the town of Mamasapano, Maguindanao.