Philippine troops, backed by helicopter gunships, regained control of two southern villages from Muslim rebels Aug. 11 and pressed ahead with a massive assault to clear 13 others, officials said.

The fighting has forced about 130,000 villagers to flee their homes. It coincided with a crucial development in ongoing peace talks between the government and the rebels, who have been waging a bloody insurgency for self-rule in the southern Philippines.

The two sides had reached agreement covering the territorial makeup of a future expanded Muslim region, but the signing of the accord was halted recently by the Supreme Court, acting on a petition filed by Christian politicians in North Cotabato who are wary of losing land and power to the Muslims.