Abu Sabaya, 2002 News

leader of the Muslim rebel group Abu Sayyaf, was killed in June in the Philippines during a clash at sea with government troops, who were being aided by U.S. forces. Abu Sayyaf members have kidnapped several Americans, including the missionaries Gracia and Martin Burnham, who was killed earlier in the month along with a Filipino nurse. The group emerged in the 1970s, seeking an independent Islamic state and protection of local fishing rights, but degenerated into an aimless band of thugs that uses brutal kidnappings and ransom demands to raise money.