Al Qaida linked Abu Sayyaf terrorist group is making a comeback

Terrorists are like cockroaches. Just when you think you have them eradicated, a new bunch reappear. The Al Qaida linked Abu Sayyaf terrorist group is making a resurgence in the Philippines. With US assistance,the Philippine military had this terrorst organization on the ropes in recent years. The Phillippines will need assistance once again to defeat Abu Sayyaf. With President Obama wanting to scale back military operations and spending, this assistance may not materialize.

Abu Sayyaf's new generation threatens Philippines

By JIM GOMEZ, Associated Press Writer Jim Gomez, Associated Press Writer – Sat Feb 21, 1:52 pm ET

MANILA, Philippines – Not long ago, the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group was dismissed as all but dead, thanks to a much-heralded joint effort against terrorism by the U.S. and the Philippine military.

Now there is fear that the Abu Sayyaf may be coming back.

The group is blamed for a spate of kidnappings in recent months, including the latest — that of a Sri Lankan peace worker on southern Basilan Island earlier this month. Abu Sayyaf raised more than $1.5 million last year through ransoms, and its ranks rose to 400 members last year from 383 in 2007, a confidential government report noted. Also, new leaders are rising to take the place of those captured by U.S.-backed troops.

The rebirth of Abu Sayyaf raises renewed fears of terrorism. So far Abu Sayyaf has focused on raising money through kidnappings, but it is likely to pursue high-profile assaults to reassert its stature as a terror group, the report noted. Abu Sayyaf has also allowed foreign militants, mostly members of the regional terror group Jemaah Islamiyah, to make the region their home.(excerpt) read more at news.yahoo.com