By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

Seven people were killed, including four Abu Sayyaf militants, in a battle with a Muslim clan Tuesday in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, a stronghold of the pro-Daesh group.

The fighting, which broke out in the town of Talipao, was between the clan of Jul Hamidi and an Abu Sayyaf faction led by Al Arod, son of terrorist sub-leader Arod Wahing, according to Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Joint Task Group Sulu as reported by the state-run Philippine News Agency.

Sobejana added that the Hamidi clan and Arod’s faction are known rivals in the town.

The firefight resulted in the death of Jul Hamidi, two of his followers and Arod along with three of his followers.

Two followers of Hamidi were also wounded and an undetermined number from the militants’ side who they brought with them when they fled.

Sobejana said the soldiers are pursuing the militants as part of focused military operations in a bid to rescue at least 20 hostages still being held by them, 15 of which are foreigners.