14 killed in southern Thailand attacks

Attacks and killings are common in the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat despite the deployment of 40,000 security forces members and the impositions of states of emergency and martial law. More than 7,000 people have been killed in the area since the Muslim separatist movement resumed its armed struggle in 2004.

Bangkok: At least 14 people were killed and several wounded on Tuesday night in coordinated attacks attributed to southern Thailand's Muslim insurgency according to the military's political arm.

Insurgents stormed three security posts in Yala province with firearms, an official from the Internal Security Operations Command told on Wednesday.

The incidents were under investigation. The number of wounded could not be confirmed, he added.

The attacks are yet to be claimed by any of the rebel groups.

Attacks and killings are common in the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat despite the deployment of 40,000 security forces members and the impositions of states of emergency and martial law.

More than 7,000 people have been killed in the area since the Muslim separatist movement resumed its armed struggle in 2004 after a decade of relative calm.

Ethnic Muslim Malay Insurgents, the majority in the region, denounce discrimination suffered under the Buddhist government, demand more autonomy and even the creation of an independent state that integrates the three provinces. They formerly formed the Pattani Sultanate that Thailand annexed in 1909.