More on this story. “Rogue Muslims raid villages,” from Times Online, August 19:
Manila Muslim rebels in the Philippines attacked several towns, killing at least 26 people and displacing 7,000.
The raids triggered a swift military response and raised doubts over whether the guerrilla movement was in control of its fighters.
According to Ibn Taymiyya — “Sheikh al-Islam” — the jihadist is under no one’s authority, once the jihad is in full swing: “All Islamic lands are one umma. There must be a general call to arms, without requiring permission from the father nor any other opposition,” (from The Al Qaeda Reader, 93).
Up to 500 Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels raided towns in Lanao del Norte province, burning houses and shooting or hacking civilians to death. Troops reacted with tanks and helicopter gunships. A rebel leader said that the attack was carried out without his knowledge.