Islamist Militants Who Seized The Philippines Town Of Marawi Are Bracing For A Long Seige

Reuters: Militants in Philippines city dug in for long siege

Islamist militants who seized the Philippines town of Marawi two weeks ago have stockpiled weapons and food in mosques, tunnels and basements to prepare for a long siege, officials said on Monday.

Among the several hundred militants linked to the Islamic State group are fighters from Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Saudi Arabia, Chechnya and Morocco.

The battle for Marawi City has raised concerns that the ultra-radical jihadist group is building a regional base on the island of Mindanao, at the southern end of the Philippines.

Parrying questions on why the fighters had been able to resist the Philippine army for so long, senior officers said the main problem was that 500-600 civilians were still trapped in the urban heart of the town.

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More News On The Battle For The Philippine City Of Marawi

Duterte rules out talks with hostage-holding militants in Marawi, wants them shot dead -- Japan Times/AP
Philippines' Duterte offers bounties for militant chiefs in Marawi -- Channel News Asia/AFP
AFP: Almost 1,500 civilians rescued, at least 500 still trapped in Marawi City -- CNN
Philippines violence: Marawi civilians trapped as fire breaks truce -- BBC
Marawi Siege: Thousands of Civilians Still Trapped in ISIS-held City -- Newsweek
Hundreds remain trapped as gunfire mars Marawi truce -- Al Jazeera
WATCH: Attack choppers pound Maute stronghold in Marawi -- ABS-CBN
AFP: Airstrikes still an option in Marawi despite 'friendly fire' deaths -- PhilStar
ISIS thugs in the Philippines film sacrilegious rampage as they smash statues, tear up pictures of the Pope then TORCH a Catholic Church in Marawi -- Daily Mail
Islamic State video shows destruction of church in Marawi -- Threat Matrix
Military studying possibility of attacking Marawi mosques -- Rappler
US gives Philippines anti-terror weapons to fight Marawi militants -- Straits Times/AFP
New weapons from US to be used by PH Marines in Marawi -- Inquirer.net
Gov’t troops in Marawi to receive new weapons, equipment from US -- GMA
The battle for Marawi: Confusion and contradictions -- Ted Regencia, Al Jazeera
Fear of Philippine insurgency in Marawi alarms region -- Lindsay Murdoch, Sydney Morning Herald