Malaysia Confirms Death Of Militant In Marawi

THE ROYAL MALAYSIAN Police has confirmed the death of Muhammad Joraimee Awang Raimee, a Malaysian militant who was fighting in the Philippines.

IGP Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun confirmed with The Star on the death of the militant, also known as Abu Nur, however he did not specify whether Mohammed Joraimee’s body was confirmed using DNA analysis as reported by Benar News.

"Yes, he was killed on Sept 28, 2017 in southern Philippines," said Mohamad Fuzi via a Whatsapp message to The Star recently.

Benar News reported that Lt Gen Carlito Galvez of the Philippine military said Malaysia had confirmed the militant’s death through DNA testing.

On October 1, The Star reported the 42-year old Joraimee was believed to be among 15 militants killed in aerial bombings as Filipino troops retook Bato

Mosque in Marawi City, Mindanao which was used as a command centre by the Islamic State (IS).

The former contract worker of the Selayang Municipal Council was a close affiliate of former Universiti Malaya professor Dr Mahmud Ahmad, who also joined IS, while hiding in the jungle with Abu Sayyaf in Basilan, southern Philippines.

Both of them played a key role in the May 23 Marawi assault, together with Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, Abdullah Maute and Omarkhayam Maute to establish a caliphate in Southeast Asia.

Previously, two Malaysian militants had their deaths confirmed in the Marawi city.

After an ongoing fourmonth siege, intelligence sources confirmed the deaths of Abdurahman Asmawi from Kelantan and Dr Kamsa Yahya from Kedah.

In August, New Straits Times reported Mahmud and Joraimee appeared in a video by the militant group along with other fighters, calling Muslims in the region to join their cause and take up arms. While Mahmud wore a face mask to conceal his identity, Joraimee had no problem showing his face, and was seen in the video holding a shotgun and an over-sized keris, which was his trademark.