Philippine troops in deadly ambush

Suspected Abu Sayyaf fighters kill nine and injure two on volatile Jolo island.

mindanao, muslim separatists — The soldiers were ambused on their way to the market to buy food

The military said the ambush happened at about 7:30am [23:30 GMT] on the southern island of Jolo near Maimbung town.

Al Jazeera Exclusive

Regional military commander Major-General Eugenio Cedo ordered troops to pursue the attackers on Jolo, where US-backed forces have been hunting remnants of the Abu Sayyaf, which the US calls a terrorist organisation.

Helicopters flew to the scene of the fighting to ferry troops and bring back the wounded.

Source: News Agencies