Friday, May 26, 2017

The Philippines: Army troops in counteroffensive against ISIS-linked jihadists in Marawi

(MANILA) – Troops began the fightback yesterday in which to drive the Maute terrorist group out of the southern city of Marawi.


At least 44 have been killed in the ongoing fighting in Marawi City, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said late Thursday night. Thirteen government troops were killed since the gun battle started on Tuesday afternoon. Six soldiers were killed in fresh clashes Thursday, bringing the death toll among soldiers at 11. 18 members of the Maute group were killed in fresh gun battle as government troops cleared two bridges heading towards Bangulo. This brings the fatalities on the terrorist groups to 31.


Terrorist group Abu Sayyaf seized the city on Tuesday night after a failed security forces raid to capture the extremists’ commander and preacher Isnilon Hapilon. Torching the cathedral, they took 14 hostages — including a Catholic priest — and beheaded a police chief whom they had captured at a roadblock.