Suspected Dawlah Islamiyah leader, bomb expert killed in Maguindanao

A suspected high ranking leader and bomb expert of the terrorist group Dawlah Islamiyah–Hassan Group (DI-HG) was killed in a military operation in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur over the weekend.

According to 601st Unifier Brigade commander Brigadier General Edgar Catu, the suspected terrorist was identified as Ustads Mohammad Usman Solaiman, also known as Amir of DI-HG . He died during the operation conducted on Sunday, December 7 in Barangay Satan.

“Ang kooperasyon ng taumbayan ang naging daan upang matukoy ang galaw at lokasyon ng grupo," said Catu.

(The residents' cooperation helped us identify the location of the group.)

"Dahil dito ay matagumpay na naisagawa ang operasyon laban sa pinuno ng Dawlah Islamiya,” he said.

(Because of this, the military operation against the DI-HG leader was successful.)

Solaiman is believed to be an expert bomb maker whose group was allegedly behind the series of bomb attacks against bus units in Mindanao. 

Catu said Solaiman is the brother of Ustadz Kamaro Usman, who was also part of DI-HG and killed in March 2020 together with the Kumander Badi, former commander of BIFF-Karialan Faction. 

He said Solaiman is a nephew of Basit Usman, who also made bombs for Special Operations Group of BIFF and has connections with the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya.

In April 2022, his organization allegedly launched an attack in a rural bus vehicle in Parang, Mindanao. They were also behind the twin attacks on the Yellow Bus Line in May 2022 and another attack in November 2023.

Catu also said it was the DI-HG who was allegedly behind the Husky Bus bombings in  Isulan Integrated Terminal in April 2023; the ambush against some military personnel in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan; as well as the killings of three civilian entrepreneurs from Batangas.—AOL, GMA Integrated News