Cross border attacks in Sabah
The cross border attacks in Sabah are a series of cross border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Moro pirates from Mindanao, Philippines, in the state of Sabah, Malaysia, that began even before the British colonial period. Many civilians have died or suffered during these incidents, causing an increase in anti-Filipino sentiment among the native peoples of Sabah, especially after major attacks in 1985, 2000 and 2013. The attacks were more intense during the presidential terms of Diosdado Macapagal and Ferdinand Marcos, who supported irredentist claims to include eastern Sabah as part of the Philippines territory. In addition, recent infiltration and attacks by militants as well as uncontrolled human migration from Mindanao to Sabah has led to more unease sentiments among the local residents of Sabah, with around 78% of prison inmates that were caught in the state due to involvement in criminal activities and lawlessness issues mainly originating from the southern Philippines.
Cross border attacks in Sabah | |||||||
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Part of the Piracy in the Sulu Sea, North Borneo dispute and Moro conflict | |||||||
Attacks by Moro pirates and militants in Sabah from the 19th century to the present | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Indonesia Supported by
Bangsamoro militia support: Philippines (after 1986–2016) |
Abu Sayyaf (2000–present) Moro Pirates (1963–present) Sulu Sultanate (Jamalul Kiram III faction) (2013–present) Former Sabah invasion supporter:
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Anwar Ibrahim PM full list
CM full list PR full list PR full list |
Radullan Sahiron (current Emir of Abu Sayyaf) # Isnilon Totoni Hapilon † Phudgal Kiram (Raja Muda of the Sulu Sultanate) Bongbong Marcos (President of Philippines) Various pirates leader Jamalul Kiram III # Agbimuddin Kiram # | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
NSOF: British coalition (until 1966)
Armed Forces of the Philippines Indonesian National Police |
Abu Sayyaf Moro Pirates | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
Malaysian security forces:
British coalition (until 1966)
Philippine security forces: |
Abu Sayyaf: unknown Kiram followers:
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Casualties and losses | |||||||
Malaysian security forces:
British coalition (until 1966)
Philippine security forces:
Indonesian security forces:
Law abiding Moro rebels:
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Abu Sayyaf:
+10 captured Kiram followers:
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~ The total thought to be higher than what has been shown. |
Prior to a large-scale military operation initiated by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to combat the rampant lawlessness in the southern Philippines since mid-2016, Malaysian security forces had been told to tighten its security and to ensure that terrorists do not attempt to flee prosecution by escaping to uninhabited areas. Sabahan leaders also ordered Malaysian security forces to "shoot on sight" any trespassers who continue to ignore laws despite repeated warnings and that those escaping militants be dealt with by the country's laws more effectively. Following the declaration of martial law in the neighbouring Philippines since 23 May 2017, Malaysian authorities increased their border security. Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal also urged the Malaysian security forces to stop taking a defensive attitude and be offensive towards the rampant crimes perpetrated by southern Filipino criminals and terrorists that has disturbed peace in the state.
Various countries and territories such as Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam have raised a travel alert for their citizens to avoid the area in eastern Sabah.