DHAKA: The Philippine military on Monday launched a helicopter assault on Muslim rebels who have occupied parts of a major southern city, as the crisis entered its eighth day.

‘Targeted air strike by the Philippine Air Force (is) ongoing,’ the Zamboanga city government said in a statement, reports The Straits Times.

‘This is part of the calibrated military operations in the area.’

BDST: 1426 HRS, SEPT 16, 2013
RoR/BSK