Philippine troops assault breakaway rebel lairs

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Hundreds of troops have launched assaults on two strongholds of a breakaway Muslim guerrilla group that attacked military camps in the southern Philippines this week.

Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman says the military and police have strengthened security in public areas to prevent diversionary attacks from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement, which has was being targeted by military air and ground offensives in Maguindanao province on Thursday.

The rebel group broke off last year from the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is involved in peace talks with the government brokered by Malaysia. The breakaway rebels oppose the negotiations.

The group attacked several military camps this week that led to fighting that killed eight people and displaced 25,000.

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