Malaysia readies another heavy assault on Kiram followers - report

One week after assaulting the suspected hideouts of followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III in Sabah, Malaysian forces are preparing another heavy attack on the armed Filipinos starting Thursday.

A report on Malaysia's state-run Bernama news agency quoted Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin as saying the military will focus their intensified combat operations in Kampung Tanjung Batu and Sungai Nyamuk.

Zin also said that they were mustering for the attack "12 tanks with chain wheels, several army helicopters and naval warships."

For his part, police Inspector General Tan Sri Ismail Omar said he ordered Sabah police commissioner Datuk HamzaTaib and local police to beef up police posts in and around Felda Sahabat.

Despite the series of attacks since March 5, many of Kiram's followers led by the sultan's brother Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram had remained active and continued to elude Malaysian forces.

Malaysian forces went on the offensive against Kiram's followers following deadly clashes starting March 1.

While Sultan Kiram had offered a ceasefire, this was rejected by Malaysia, which insisted that Kiram's followers surrender unconditionally. — DVM, GMA News