THE military yesterday claimed soldiers have so far killed at least 24 Abu Sayyaf members in their ongoing operations in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan since Saturday. Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the figures came from Western Mindanao Command head Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo dela Cruz. Padilla said all slain Abu Sayyaf fighters were identified by military and police units involved in the operations in Basilan. He said  one of those killed was Moroccan terrorist Mohammad Khatttab, an improvised explosive device expert and supposedly a conduit of a “Middle East international terrorist group.” At least 18 soldiers and 53 others were wounded in the more than nine-hour clash between military units and the Abu Sayyaf in Barangay Baguidan, Tipo-Tipo in April 9.