Philippine army launches airstrikes at Muslim rebels in zamboanga

  Philippine military on Monday launched airstrikes at Muslim rebels from the Moro National Liberation Front positions in Zamboanga City after eight days of fighting. Philippine soldiers are closing in on a few dozen armed rebels whose group stormed the southern city of Zamboanga, forcing thousands to flee. The army said about 50 rebels had been killed and 40 more captured during a week-long siege that has brought the city of one million to a standstill. The gunmen were reported to have taken about 100 civilians hostage, but most have now been freed, officials say. The rebels are thought to belong to one of a number of separatist groups. Their presumed leader, 71-year-old Nur Misuari, has said little since the siege began. A government attempt to broker a ceasefire apparently faltered because Nur Misuari wanted safe passage out of Zamboanga for the gunmen. The gunmen arrived in Zamboanga by boat, and apparently tried to march on the city hall to hoist their flag. When they failed, they took hostages.