NORTH MALUKA, Indonesia — Exactly one week after 34 Christians died in a Muslim attack on Halmahera island in the eastern Indonesian province of North Maluku, at least 44 Christians died May 29 during a raid on a village on the same island.
North Maluku military chief Lt. Col. Sukarwo said at least 102 people were injured in the attack, which the military suspects may have been initiated by Muslim troops — known as Lasker Jihad, or Holy War Troops — from a neighboring island.
More than 2,000 such troops are believed to have entered the Maluku provinces, and the group’s leader has promised to launch a holy war against Christians in the region, according to the Associated Press. Sukarwo said he could not confirm reports another 17 people were killed May 30 on the island.
North Maluku and Maluku provinces — known as the Spice Islands during the Dutch colonial era — have been plagued by religious clashes between Christians and Muslims since violence first erupted in the provincial capital of Ambon in January of last year. About 2,500 people have died in the fighting.
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