ABC AUSTRALIA, 05/12/2003 22:04:51
Indonesian military claims 12 rebels killed in Aceh
The Indonesian military says its troops in Aceh province have killed 12 rebels and
arrested 12 others during Thursday's anniversary of the separatist Free Aceh
Movement (GAM).
The military had mounted a show of strength across the province to try to thwart rebel
attempts to mark the movement's anniversary with flag-raisings or parades.
A military spokesman says the rebels were killed in a series of separate clashes,
which also saw a number of weapons seized.
GAM has in the past held ceremonies and called general strikes to mark the
anniversary of its founding in 1976.
The Indonesian military launched a major campaign to crush the rebels in May.
The military says more than 1,100 rebels have been killed in the offensive, while
another 2,000 have surrendered.
05/12/2003 22:04:51 | ABC Radio Australia News
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