The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is a militant Islamic group located in the Southern Philippines. The area where the group is active is called Bangsamoro by the MILF and it covers the southern portion of Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago, Palawan, Basilan and the neighbouring islands. There are approximately 4.5 million Muslims in the Philippines Philippines CIA World Factbook, 2006 and the majority live within this area.

The MILF is lead by Salamat Hashim, who advocates a conservative, Wahhabist-influenced brand of Islam developed during his time as a student in Saudi Arabia and CairoDangerous dynamics: activists, militants and terrorists in Southeast Asia, Wright-Neville, D. The Pacific Review 17 (1), (2004). Hashim, like many in the MILF, was also heavily influenced by Sayyid Qutb, and adapted the words of Qutb to call for "jihad in the Moroland" against "the colonial Philippine occupation armies" who he accused of crimes against Muslims in the regionInterview with Nida’ul Islam Magazine, Selamat, H. No. 23, April–June, (1998).

The exact size of the MILF is unclear, though its military wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, is known to consist of a guerilla army of 12,500 peopleAttention shifts to Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Davis, A. Jane’s Intelligence Review 14(4), (2002). The group claimed a peak strength of almost 90,000 "well-armed" men in 1998.

History

Resistance to the Philippine government was first centred around the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), formed in the late 1960s following the Jabidah Massacre. The group demanded the formation of an independent Moro Islamic state and took part in terrorist attacks and assassinations to promote their ideas. The central government rejected this demand and sent troops into Moroland to maintain order. The MILF was formed in 1981 when Salamat Hashim and his followers split from the MNLF, due to the MNLF's reluctance to launch an insurgancy against the Phillipine government forces and movements towards a peace agreementDangerous dynamics: activists, militants and terrorists in Southeast Asia, Wright-Neville, D. The Pacific Review 17 (1), (2004).

In January 1987, the MNLF accepted the government's offer of semi-autonomy. The MILF refused to accept the offer. The MILF became the largest separatist group in the Philippines. A general cessation of hostilities was signed in July 1997 but this agreement was broken in 2000 by the government of Joseph Estrada. The MILF initially declared a jihad but became more receptive, especially following claims it is linked to the Abu Sayyaf and al Qaeda. A cease-fire accord was signed with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Despite peace negotiations that had appeared to be fruitful and a two year cease-fire, in January 2005 MILF operatives attacked government troops in Maguindanao resulting in at least twenty-three deaths. Led by Andul Rahman Binago, one hundred MILF rebels surrounded the soldiers and were believed to have executed several wounded. The combined troops of MILF, Abu Sofia and Abu Sayyaf were involved in days of fighting which necessitated government troops using 105mm howitzers to attack the rebel forces. Thousands of civilians in Maguindanao were forced to leave their homes to avoid danger.

The MILF denied authorizing the attack, and said they were trying to communicate with Binago. A spokesman explained that a relative of Binago had recently been killed by government troops and speculated this might have motivated his activities . The incident, along with a 2003 bombing at Davao airport which the Phillipine government blamed on rogue MILF elementsPresident: MILF has until June 1 to cut terror links, Guinto, J. Philippine Daily Inquirer, 13 May (2003), raised speculation that the peace negotiations might be ineffectual in bringing peace to Mindanao if the MILF is unable to control its operatives. The MILF denies ties with terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah, although Jemaah Islamiyah is believed to have provided them with training facilities in areas they control . The MILF also continues to deny connections with Al-Qaeda, though it has admitted to sending around 600 volunteers to Al-Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan, and that Osama Bin Laden sent money to the Moro region, though the group denies directly receiving any of the money. Tentacles of terror: Al Qaeda’s Southeast Asian network, Abuza, Z. Contemporary Southeast Asia 24(3), (2002).

See also

• Moro Rebellion
• Bangsamoro
• Abu Sayyaf

References

External links

• FAS.org: Moro Islamic Liberation Front
• http://www.luwaran.com
• Amir Butler: The Moro Struggle for Independence
• The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Security in Southeast Asia U.S. Institute of Peace, June 2005

Islamist groups | Politics of the Philippines | Military history of the Philippines | Islamic organizations | Secessionist organizations | Jihadist organizations | Organizations accused of terrorism | Rebels | Moro Rebellion | Islam in the Philippines | Philippine Moro Affairs

Moro islamische Befreiungfront | Moro Islamic Liberation Front | Moro Islamic Liberation Front | Islamski Front Wyzwolenia Moro