|
 |
Indonesian Jihad leader says his fighters are defending Muslims
The chairman of Indonesia's Central Sulawesi branch of the Laskar Jihad say Islamic militants involved in the bloody sectarian unrest there, are only defending their fellow Muslims and are not on a mission to kill Christians.
Abu Umar, told the French newsagency AFP that fighters of Laskar Jihad, which is based in Java, previously deployed thousands of fighters to help Muslims in Maluku province, then moved to Sulawesi on a similar mission.
Thousands of Christians in the Poso district east of the provincial capital Palu last month fled an advance by Muslim militiamen who seized several villages.
The refugees allege the armed attackers chanted Muslim war cries as they bombed, burned and looted their homes. At least five Christians were killed, with church officials claiming some 13,000 people have fled their villages.
The government has deployed extra troops to the area to restore law and order.
10/12/01 22:51:12 | ABC Radio Australia News
Back
|
|
|
|
Related Stories
|
|
10/12/01 5:27:03
Indonesian gov't apologises to Malaysia for riots by illegal immigrant
10/12/01 4:42:46
Indonesia's Garuda airlines reopens flight route to Taiwan
9/12/01 19:54:21
Indonesia's Garuda airlines re-opens its flight route to Taiwan'
8/12/01 5:15:50
Indonesian Muslims move on Christian city
|
|
Related Sites
|
|
Radio Australia Indonesian Language Service
Radio Australia - Asia Pacific
In depth coverage of major events across Asia and the Pacific. Asia Pacific brings you the opinions of the people who matter.
World News
from Radio Australia
News across Asia, the Pacific and beyond.
|
