June–July 2016 Sulu and Basilan clashes

The Summer 2016 Sulu and Basilan clashes were armed conflicts that took place in two battlefronts on the southern islands of Mindanao from 21 June to 12 July.

Background
After the Canadian hostage John Ridsdel had been beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf group(ASG) in late April 2016, another Canadian hostage, Robert Hall was beheaded on June 13, 2016. The ASG even demanded $13 million ransom for the release of two hostages they held.

Since the group had gained notoriety in recent months, Philippine President Duterte warned the ASG to stop kidnapping, saying he will eventually confront them.

On 17 June ,about 5,000 Philippine soldiers had been deployed to the target areas in Sulu to track down the ASG.

Sulu
On 21 June,Soldiers from the 32nd Infantry Battalion encountered about 200 ASG members in Patikul town past 2 p.m. 3 members of the ASG were killed and at least 10 were wounded.16 Army soldiers were also wounded.

One day after on 22 June,another firefight left at least 7 members of the ASG killed and 18 soldiers wounded.

As the operation tracking down two hostages continued,on 7 July,troops encountered suspected members of the ASG.One soldier was dead and 6 soldiers were wounded.As for the ASG,9 was killed and at least 19 militants were wounded.

When this firefight had lasted to 11 July,the number of ASG killed rose to 22.

Basilan
On 6 July, 7:30pm,Suspected ASG bandits led by Furuji Indama and Isnilon Hapilon stormed a barangay (village) in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.The attack targeted the headquarters of 18th Infantry Battalion. Then the ASG had occupied and fortified one hill called Hill 490 of Ungkaya Pukan town as a staging point.

On 12 July,6am,army rangers were closing in to assault Hill 490 after air and artillery struck to soften the ASG's defenses.But one army ranger was killed and 5 others were injured after one of them tripped an improvised explosive device.The government casualties were immediately airlifted to Camp Navarro General Hospital in this city for treatment.

At least 18 militants have been killed and 9 have been wounded in Basilan operations.