On February 11, 2013 Philippine Sulu militants from Simunul island in Tawi-Tawi arrived illegally by boats in Lahad Datu, Sabah, on the Borneo island in Malaysia. 235 militants who said they were from the Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo were sent by Jamalul Kiram III who claims Sabah belongs to the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu and him being one of the claimants to the throne, he considers it their lawful right to reside in northern Borneo. Malaysian security forces have been stationed around the village of Tanduo where the group had gathered and while deadly clashes with casualties on both sides continue to occur, negotiations for the peaceful resolution are reportedly ongoing. Sitti Jacel, the daughter of Jamalul Kiram III said her father's supporters went to Lahad Datu to reside on their ancestral territory, not to wage war with anyone. She added that they were determined not to leave unless a suitable solution to their claim to the territory was offered. Meanwhile, Malaysian authorities labelled the Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo a terrorist organization. Muslim separatists from Mindanao, Philippines with headquarters in Sulu known as the Moro National Liberation Front promised to send thousands of soldiers to Sabah as reinforcements to the Sultanate of Sulu's militants. Islamic Malaysia previously armed Islamic Moro National Liberation Front to assist them with separatism efforts from Catholic Philippines. Now they may see the weapons they had supplied used against them. Reminds me very much of what's coming as a result of the west arming Islamic extremists who fight in Syria...

• published: 16 Feb 2014
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