Four killed as troops clash with militants in Maluku

Four killed as troops clash with militants in Maluku

AMBON, Maluku (JP): At least four people were killed and 18
others wounded in clashes between security forces and militant
groups in Ternate, North Maluku, late on Wednesday, officials
said.

Maluku Military Commander Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela said here on
Thursday the violence erupted on Wednesday night in Ternate when
soldiers tried to block members of the militant "Jihad Force"
from traveling to neighboring Halmahera Island.

Halmahera is the scene of some of the worst sectarian clashes
in Maluku, and more than 1,000 people have been killed on the
island this year.

It is still unclear if the group is associated with another
militant Muslim group in Jakarta who last month said they would
send volunteers to Maluku to wage a holy war against Christians
and have setup a training camp in Bogor, West Java.

The Laskar Jihad in Jakarta drew public criticism last month
for carrying arms and weapons during public protests against the
government's apparent slowness in settling the Maluku conflict,
which has dragged on for over than a year and left more than
3,000 killed.

The authorities have said they will do their utmost to prevent
the Jihad Forces from leaving for the Malukus.

Tamaela also said that the curfew in Ambon, which had been the
center of clashes between Muslims and Christians in Maluku, will
be moved from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. due to improved security.
(48/49/edt)