Dozens dead as Philippine troops, supported by gunships, fight militants in southern city of Marawi
Philippine government admits foreigners have joined local militants, seeking to carve out parts of Mindanao to be ‘part of the caliphate’
Indonesians and Malaysians were among foreign Jihadists fighting the Philippine army in Mindanao island, Manila’s solicitor-general said on Friday, in a rare admission that outsiders were collaborating with domestic Islamist groups.
Philippine troops backed by armoured vehicles and rocket-firing helicopters fought to retake control of Marawi City, which has been under attack by gunmen linked to Islamic State (IS) since a raid earlier this week failed to capture one of Asia’s most-wanted militants.
Rebels have torn through the streets of Marawi since Tuesday night, torching buildings, taking a priest and his worshippers hostage and sealing off much of the city. The violence forced thousands to flee and raised fears of growing extremism in the country.
At least 44 people have died in the fighting, including 31 militants and 11 soldiers, officials said on Thursday. It was not immediately clear whether civilians were among the dead.
“Before it was just a local terrorist group. But now they have subscribed to the ideology of ISIS [Islamic State],” Solicitor General Jose Calida told a news conference. “They want to make Mindanao part of the caliphate.”