Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines
Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines (OEF-P) or Operation Freedom Eagle was part of Operation Enduring Freedom and the global War on Terror.[11] The Operation targeted the various Jihadist terror groups operating in the country. By 2009, about 600 U.S. military personnel were advising and assisting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the Southern Philippines.[12] In addition, by 2014, the CIA had sent its elite paramilitary officers from their Special Activities Division to hunt down and kill or capture key terrorist leaders.[13] This group had the most success in combating and capturing Al-Qaeda leaders and the leaders of associated groups like Abu Sayyaf.[13]
Major battles[edit]
The Zamboanga City Crisis (commonly known as the Zamboanga siege was fought in 2014 by Philippine troops against the MILF / MNLF. It was a joint collaboration between the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It was a turning point during this Operation. During this time, the M.N.L.F and the M.I.L.F launched a series of propaganda campaigns against the Philippine Armed Forces including through the use of social media (even if it's rare it was a big problem for there's a probability the A.F.P could lose morale. But in the end, it was a major strategic victory for the Philippine Armed Forces and the PNP.
The Marawi Siege was a siege by a coalition of nations militarily and strategically. The siege was perpetrated by the Maute Group. In the end, it costed the lives of thousands of people and displaced almost of the entire city's population to other settlements to avoid getting shot. The siege lasted for almost 200 days. The coalition of nations during the siege was China the United States Russia and many other nations.
Siege of Zamboanga
Forces[edit]
Special Operations Command, Pacific (SOCPAC) troops were the core of Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines (OEF-P), an operation which supports the Government of the Republic of the Philippines counterterrorism efforts. The AFP and civilian authorities had improved their ability to coordinate and sustain counterterrorism operations. U.S. and Philippine forces had also worked together under the new Security Engagement Board framework – the primary mechanism for consultation and planning
regarding non-traditional security threats – to complete humanitarian and civil assistance projects and improve living conditions in the southern Philippines. As a result of their combined efforts, support for terrorists had waned markedly.
Deployment first began January 2002 and involved more than 1,200 members of SOCPAC, headed by Brig. General Donald C. Wurster. SOCPAC's deployable joint task force HQ, Joint Task Force 510 (JTF 510), directed and carried out the operation.[20]
The mission was to advise the Armed Forces of the Philippines in combating terrorism in the Philippines.[21] 160 U.S. special forces go out on patrol with Filipinos in jungles of Basilan island, an Abu Sayyaf stronghold, in 2002, U.S. military personnel deployed to Cebu to provide support for a six-month exercise.[22] The Navy sent SEAL & Special Boat Teams to aide with maritime operations against piracy, trafficking, and port/waterways security. Mark V Special Operations Craft operated by SWCC boat operators were used to conduct Visit, board, search, and seizure operations.[23] Some unconventional tactics and equipment were used, such as utilizing canoes with outboard motors, various small boats, and jetskis for low-profile collection operations.[24] JSOC could undertake psychological operations to confuse or trap al-Qaeda operatives, but it needed approval from the White House for lethal action.[25] Much of the mission (Exercise Balikatan 02–1) took place on the Basilan Island.