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Subject
Threat posed by the militant Abu Sayyaf group in the Philippines.
Significance
Security forces last month killed eleven militants belonging to the Islamic State (IS)-affiliated Abu Sayyaf group (ASG) in Sulu province. The ASG is based principally in Sulu and Basilan provinces, part of the Sulu archipelago within the Mindanao island group. The surrender of a key ASG leader in March had prompted Philippine officials to suggest that the militant group was on the brink of collapse.
Impacts
Martial law in Mindanao will not deter militant recruitment.
Malaysian authorities will step up security operations against militants operating in Sabah state.
ASEAN is unlikely in the short term to formulate a unified strategy against Islamist militants.
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2018
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