New York City - AP World News: "Indonesian intelligence officials say several Ambon veterans have turned up in Jemaah Islamiyah, the al-Qaida-linked terror group blamed for a string of bombings in recent years, including the 2002 Bali bombings.
'This is a holy war,' said one Muslim fighter, gesturing to the Christian part of the divided seaside city with a spear. 'We are obliged to defend our faith.'
Many of the combatants on the Christian side appear to be barely out of their teens.
The fighting erupted Sunday after the province's small, mostly Christian separatist movement paraded through the city center. The display of secessionist sentiment angered Muslims, who have cast themselves as defenders of the country's unity to avoid military crackdowns and attract legitimacy in Jakarta.
The conflict is often seen in these terms by government officials and the national media, which infuriates Christians.
'How is burning churches and homes fighting separatism?' asks one woman who declined to be identified. 'We work in Indonesia, we love Indonesia. We are only defending our homes.'
"
'This is a holy war,' said one Muslim fighter, gesturing to the Christian part of the divided seaside city with a spear. 'We are obliged to defend our faith.'
Many of the combatants on the Christian side appear to be barely out of their teens.
The fighting erupted Sunday after the province's small, mostly Christian separatist movement paraded through the city center. The display of secessionist sentiment angered Muslims, who have cast themselves as defenders of the country's unity to avoid military crackdowns and attract legitimacy in Jakarta.
The conflict is often seen in these terms by government officials and the national media, which infuriates Christians.
'How is burning churches and homes fighting separatism?' asks one woman who declined to be identified. 'We work in Indonesia, we love Indonesia. We are only defending our homes.'
"
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