The Amir and the alleged primary bomb maker of the Dawlah Islamiyah–Hassan Group was killed during a military operation in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, leaving the group’s Amir for Military Affairs still at large.

Brig. Gen. Edgar L. Catu, commander of the 601st Unifier Brigade, said on Monday that the military launched a surprise operation targeting the Dawlah Islamiyah–Hassan Group leader in Barangay Satan, Shariff Aguak, on Sunday.

Catu identified the slain leader as Ustadz Mohammad Usman Solaiman, the known “Amir” or “prince” of the group in Maguindanao del Sur.

Solaiman’s companion, Norodin Hassan, also known as Andot and the Amir for military affairs, remains the only high-ranking follower of former leader Abu Azim, who was killed in Mamasapano in December 2021.

The military said Solaiman was the brother of “terrorist” Ustadz Kamaro Usman, who was killed in March 2020 along with former Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF)–Karialan faction commander Kumander Badi.

According to Catu, Solaiman was a skilled bomb maker and the nephew of Basit Usman, a former bomb expert of the BIFF Special Operations Group, Abu Sayyaf, and Jemaah Islamiya.

Catu credited residents for reporting the presence of the armed group in their community.

“The cooperation of the public was key to determining the group’s movements and location. Because of this, the operation against the leader of Dawlah Islamiyah was successfully carried out,” he said.

Military records link Solaiman’s group to a series of violent incidents across Mindanao. 

These include the bombing of a Rural Bus on 24 April 2022 in Parang, Maguindanao; bombings of Yellow Bus Line units on 26 May 2022 in Koronadal City and Tacurong City; and another Yellow Bus Line attack on 6 November 2022 in Barangay New Isabela, Tacurong City.

The group is also believed to be responsible for the Husky Bus bombing on 17 April 2023 at the Isulan Integrated Terminal, the ambush of soldiers in Barangay Tuayan in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, and the killing of three civilian goat traders from Batangas.

Major General Jose Vladimir R. Cagara, commander of the 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central, commended the 601st Brigade for the operation and acknowledged the residents for providing information.

He urged the remaining Dawlah Islamiyah members to lay down their arms, saying the government is prepared to help them return to civilian life.