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August 10, 2008

Philippine Troops Attack Muslim Rebels in South 
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1DA08E5:A6F02AD83191E1605D2A299C4DB1A8A52E7CA1C1B166B639&
 
Witnesses say at least four soldiers were wounded in the clashes with
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in North Cotabato province 
Government troops and Muslim rebels in the southern Philippines
exchanged mortar and machine-gun fire Sunday, despite a pledge by rebel
leaders to leave the area.Philippine troops fire howitzers at Muslim
rebel lairs in Midsayap town, North Cotabato province, southern
Philippines on Sunday 10 Aug. 2008Witnesses say at least four soldiers
were wounded in the clashes with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in
North Cotabato province.MILF rebels began occupying several Christian
villages late last month, after the Philippine Supreme Court struck down
a government - rebel agreement to create a Muslim homeland in the
country's south.On Thursday, the government gave the rebels 24 hours to
vacate Christian villages on the southern island of Mindanao, but rebels
say concerns about security is delaying their withdrawal.Philippine
government negotiator Rodolfo Garcia says MILF rebels had come under
fire from local militiamen who are armed and trained by the military.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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