Philippines Declares An End To The Battle Against The ISIS In The City Of Marawi

Daily Mail: Philippines declares it has 'defeated' ISIS in five-month campaign which ended with killing of 42 militants including two women and five foreign jihadists in final battle inside a mosque

* Soldiers have killed 42 militants in final battle against ISIS in the city of Marawi
* Defence chiefs declared the end of 'all combat operations' against terror group
* It comes after a bloody five-month campaign that has left more than 1,100 dead
* However, concerns remain about the future of ISIS in the southern region

A five-month battle against ISIS in the southern Philippines that claimed more than 1,100 lives has ended after a final battle inside a mosque.

Soldiers killed 42 militants including two women and five foreign jihadists in the terror group's last stand in the southern city of Marawi.

The conclusion of the conflict ended immediate fears that the extremist terror group would establish a Southeast Asian base in the city. But concerns remain about its longer-term intentions and capabilities in the region.

Read more ....

More News On The Philippines Declaring An End To The Battle Against The ISIS In The City Of Marawi

Philippines Declares End in Months-Long ISIS Siege of Marawi -- NBC
Philippines Declares End to 5-Month Militant Siege in Marawi -- US News and World Report/AP
As Mattis Arrives in Philippines, Mop-Up in Marawi Is Declared Over -- New York Times
Marawi: Philippines declares end of siege as troops find 40 suspected gunmen dead -- ABC Online
Five-month battle with IS ends in Philippine city: defence secretary -- AFP
Philippines declares end to battle with Islamist militants in Marawi -- Deutsche Welle

Heavy Philippines Air Force Bombardment Of Islamic State Positions In Marawi (Video)

VIDEO: Heavy Philippines Air Force bombardment of ISIS positions in #Marawi. - @cnnphilippinespic.twitter.com/fMqpYNKr3e

— Conflict News (@Conflicts) July 2, 2017

Previous Post: The Battle To Retake The Philippine City Of Marawi From The Islamic State -- News Updates July 1, 2017

WNU Editor: Using these aircraft to conduct these type of bombing raid tells me that the Philippine military has been given the green light to do what is necessary to retake the city .... even if it may mean destroying a good part of it with heavy civilian casualties.

The Battle To Retake The Philippine City Of Marawi From The Islamic State -- News Updates July 1, 2017

Filipino soldiers lie on a mattress at their combat position in a house as government troops continue their assault against insurgents from the Maute group in Marawi city, Philippines July 1, 2017. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Reuters: Snipers, bombs, mortars - Philippine troops battle against Islamists

Sprawled on the boarded-up balcony of a two-storey house, the barrel of his rifle poked into a hole cut in the wood, the Philippine army sniper calls for quiet before taking his shot.

"Firing," he says evenly, before the .50 caliber shot rings out, sending tremors through the house. He was firing at a home less than a kilometer (a half mile) away, believed to be a stronghold of Islamist militants who have been holed up in Marawi City for over five weeks.

A spotter sat next to him, with his scope set into another hole. The two spoke quietly to each other as the sniper took three more shots across the Agus river into the militant-held commercial district of Marawi, now a battleground strewn with debris from ruined buildings. Scores of bodies are rotting in the area, and the stench mixes with the smell of gunpowder.

Thousands of soldiers are battling to retake the southern Philippine city, where militants loyal to Islamic State launched a lightning strike on May 23.

Read more ....

The Battle To Retake The Philippine City Of Marawi From The Islamic State -- News Updates July 1, 2017

Death toll in Marawi rises to 429 – AFP -- GMA/AFP
Battle against ISIS in Philippine city continues -- NRT
Marawi crisis takes a toll on refugees' health -- CNN
Fighting in Philippine city displaces nearly 400,000 -- Channel news Asia/AFP
Duterte: No compromise with Maute terrorists -- Philippine Star
Updates on Marawi deaths make Duterte cry -- Inquirer
Duterte prevented from going to Marawi City -- Gulf News
Did Duterte say armed forces were caught off-guard against Maute group? -- The Independent

The Battle For The Philippine City Of Marawi Between The Army And Islamic State Militants -- News Updates June 26, 2017

DW: Philippines resume 'offensive operations' against militants

Philippine authorities have vowed to end the Islamist uprising in Marawi City "at the soonest time possible." Human rights groups have warned that martial law could pave the way for serious abuses by the armed forces.

Philippine armed forces on Monday relaunched a military intervention against so-called "Islamic State" (IS)-allied militants in the southern city of Marawi following a brief "humanitarian pause" to mark the Islamic holiday Eid al-Fitr.

"Our offensive operations have resumed and will continue so we can liberate Marawi City at the soonest time possible," said army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jo-ar Herrera. "We are focused and committed, and we will accomplish our mission."

Read more ....

The Battle For The Philippine City Of Marawi Between The Army And Islamic State Militants -- News Updates June 26, 2017

Philippines VP visits refugees fleeing fighting, Duterte unseen in days -- Reuters
AFP on operations vs Maute: We are winning -- PhilStar
Fighting resumes in Marawi after Eid ceasefire -- Al Jazeera
Philippine envoys talk with Islamist militant leader during brief truce -- Reuters
Fleeing ISIS in the Philippines: 'I will never go back to Marawi' -- CNN
'Terrorist matriarch' emerges as kingpin behind Islamic State assault on Philippines city -- The Telegraph
Philippines: IS funded siege through Malaysian militant -- AP
Australian Spy Planes to Help Tackle Islamist Threat in Philippines -- VOA
Bloodied and broken: Rising toll of Philippines' war with ISIS -- Euan McKirdy and Ivan Watson, CNN

Philippine Forces Continue To Battle Islamic State Militants For The Town Of Marawi

Straits Times/AFP: Philippine troops pound ISIS-linked militants in Marawi as death toll passes 300

MARAWI (AFP) - Philippine troops pounded Muslim militants holding parts of southern Marawi city with air strikes and artillery Saturday (June 17) as more soldiers were deployed and the death toll rose to more than 300 after nearly a month of fighting.

Fires erupted and dark plumes of smoke rose from enclaves still occupied by the militants as the air force staged bombing runs to support ground troops struggling to dislodge the fighters from entrenched positions, AFP journalists at the scene said.

MG520 attack helicopters and FA50 fighter jets were used in the raids, while sustained bursts of automatic gunfire could be heard in the distance, indicating the intensity of the fighting.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: There is now talk of a truce .... Gov‘t eyes truce with communist rebels amid Marawi siege (Inquirer.net/AP)

More News On Philippine Forces Continuing To Battle Islamic State Militants For The Town Of Marawi

More troops sent to Marawi to fight -- Inquirer.net
Duterte says Marawi operation ‘winding up’ as death toll passes 300 -- RT
Philippine President resurfaces, says Marawi City battle ‘winding up’ -- CCTN
Duterte: Marawi crisis not a failure of intelligence -- ABS-CBN
Soldiers’ lives at risk in Marawi from 'irresponsible' social media use: Philippine military -- Channel News Asia
Muslims lend Christians hijabs to help them escape Isis in disguise -- The Independent

The Battle Against ISIS For The Philippine City Of Marawi

Joseph Hincks, Time: The Battle For Marawi City

What the siege of a Philippine city reveals about ISIS’ deadly new front in Asia

On what was to be her wedding day, Stephanie Villarosa ate chocolate-flavored rice porridge out of a styrofoam cup. Under normal circumstances—rings exchanged, fidelity promised, bride kissed—she and her family would have been feasting on lechón, roasted suckling pig, a delicacy in her fiancé’s hometown of Iligan City on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. Instead, Villarosa was huddled on an institutional plastic chair 38 km south of Iligan, inside Marawi City’s provincial government building. Outside, sniper fire crackled over the mosque-dotted hills to the east and military FA50 fighter jets thundered overhead. Wedding or no, the porridge was nourishing, and Villarosa was happy: “God is good. Today we survived.”

Read more ....

More News On The Battle Against ISIS For The Philippine City Of Marawi

Residents fleeing Marawi saw around 100 bodies, Philippines official says -- CNN
In battle for Marawi, troops pinned down by sniper fire, Molotov cocktails -- GMA
Philippines claims control of 90 percent of Marawi -- Al Jazeera
Hundreds killed in Marawi City -- SKY News
AFP: Some Maute members may have left Marawi -- Phil Star
Philippines says some militants may have slipped out of embattled city -- Reuters
AFP finds lapses by troops in clashes with Marawi terrorists -- Inquirer.net
Marawi siege expected to be protracted: Security source -- Channel News Asia
Amid Ongoing Violence In Marawi, A Journalist Takes A Bullet -- NPR

Battle For The ISIS Held Philippine City Of Marawi -- News Updates June 15, 2017

DW: Marawi: Dozens of civilians feared dead in Philippine city

Residents fleeing Marawi have reported seeing scores of dead bodies after clashes between the military and Islamist fighters, a Philippine politician says. Many civilians remain trapped inside the besieged city.

Zia Alonto Adiong, a politician who is helping in local rescue efforts, told reporters Thursday that residents had seen "dead bodies, at least 100, scattered" in an area where intense clashes had taken place.

The military could not confirm the report.

Militants aligned with the "Islamic State" (IS) extremist group have laid siege to Marawi for more than three weeks. The fighting has displaced some 200,000 people and left the southern city in ruins.

Adiong said up to 1,000 people were still believed to be trapped in conflict-hit areas.

"Some residents are eating (cardboard) boxes. They just dip it in water to soften the material and eat it," he told Agence France-Presse. "It's heartbreaking. It's almost unbelievable to think that people are living this way."

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Battle For The ISIS Held Philippine City Of Marawi -- News Updates June 15, 2017

'Hundred dead bodies' seen in besieged Marawi -- Al Jazeera
Philippine politician says residents report scores of bodies in embattled city -- Reuters
U.S. Troops in Besieged City of Marawi, Philippine Military Says -- New York Times
'At Least 100' Dead Bodies Were Seen By People Fleeing the Besieged Philippine City of Marawi, Official Says -- TIME
Philippine forces adopt strategy of destroying Marawi to save it -- The Straits Times
Philippines says U.S. troops near besieged Marawi, but not fighting -- Reuters
ISIS Marawi Siege: Philippines President Duterte Is Nowhere to be Seen as Islamist Fighters Take Over the City -- Newsweek
Christians Are Given Hijabs by Muslims in Marawi to Help Them Escape ISIS Militants -- Newsweek

Battle For The Philippine City of Marawi -- News Updates June 13, 2017

Government soldiers are seen onboard military vehicles driving along the main road of Amai Pakpak, as government troops continue their assault against insurgents from Maute group who has taken over large parts of the Marawi City, Philippines June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

Al Jazeera: Army struggles as Marawi siege enters fourth week

Hundreds of civilians still trapped in Marawi as heavy battles between Philippine forces and ISIL-linked fighters go on.

Fighting in Marawi City in the southern Philippines has entered its fourth week, with military officials conceding that troops were struggling to loosen the grip of ISIL-linked fighters on downtown precincts despite relentless bombing.

Military spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said the urban terrain was hampering the army's progress because the rebels had hunkered down in built-up neighbourhoods, many of them with civilians they had taken as human shields.

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Battle For The Philippine City of Marawi -- News Updates June 13, 2017

Philippines army struggles as city siege enters fourth week -- Reuters
ISIS-Linked Militants Retain Significant Proportion Philippines Town of Marawi After Three-Week Siege -- Newsweek
Marawi conflict: Hundreds held hostage by Islamic militants as US forces join army effort -- ABC News Online
Militants executing civilians trapped in Marawi fighting -- Straits Times
Philippines misses 2nd deadline to remove Islamic militants -- Nikkei Asian Review
Militant Philippine brothers highlight Southeast Asia’s Islamist ‘time bomb’ -- Japan Times/Reuters

A New Front For U.S. Special Forces In The War Against The Islamic State

A U.S. P3 Orion surveillance aircraft is seen flying over the town of Marawi city, as government troops continue their assault against insurgents from the Maute group, who has taken over large parts of the city, Philippines June 9, 2017. Picture taken June 9, 2017. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

Task & Purpose: US Special Operations Forces Have Opened A New Front In The Campaign Against ISIS: The Philippines

U.S. special operations forces are assisting the Philippine army in its effort to expel ISIS-affiliated militants from the city of Marawi, Reuters reports, signaling a gradual expansion in the scope of the Trump administration’s intensifying campaign against the jihadist.

Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, a spokesman for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, told the media June 10 that the new U.S. involvement was confined to the Pentagon’s usual “advise and assist” mission, asserting that special operations forces “are not fighting. They are just providing technical support.”

On May 23, 400 local militants claiming loyalty to ISIS stormed the southern capital of the Lanao del Sur province with assistance from “about 40 foreign fights,” Reuters reported. The AFP deployed some 4,000 ground forces backed by attack helicopters and air strikes.

Read more ....

Previous Post: U.S. Special Forces Assisting Philippine Troops In Military Operations Against Islamic Militants In Marawi (June 10, 2017).

WNU Editor: What I find surprising about this story is that the Philippine President is in the dark on this U.S. involvement .... Philippines' Duterte not aware of U.S. support against Islamists in Marawi (Reuters).

U.S. Special Forces Assisting Philippine Troops In Military Operations Against Islamic Militants In Marawi,

New York Times: 13 Philippine Marines Killed in Battle Against Islamist Militants

MANILA — Thirteen Philippine marines were killed and at least 40 others were wounded in a 14-hour clash with militants linked to the Islamic State in the city of Marawi, the military said on Saturday.

It was believed to be the deadliest single-day toll for military forces battling Islamist militants from the Abu Sayyaf and Maute groups that seized part of the city in May, beginning a wave of violence across Marawi and displacing tens of thousands of Filipinos.

The battle erupted at dawn on Friday after the marines targeted militants holding several civilian hostages, and the fighting stretched into dusk. The clashes were still continuing on Saturday, said Col. Edgard Arevalo, a military spokesman.

“The marines were able to inflict heavy casualties to the terrorist group,” Colonel Arevalo said.

Read more ....

More News On The Battle Against ISIS In the Philippine City of Marawi

13 Philippine marines killed in clash with Islamic State affiliates -- UPI
U.S. forces helping end ISIS-linked siege that left 13 Philippine marines dead, 40 wounded -- USA Today
U.S. joins battle in Philippines but no boots on the ground: report -- The Hill
US forces helping Philippines battle ISIS-linked fighters -- CNN
U.S. joins battle as Philippines takes losses in besieged city -- Reuters
U.S. Special Forces Assist Philippines Against Islamic Militants -- Bloomberg
Marawi siege: US special forces aiding Philippine army -- BBC
US Special Forces Assist in Ending Siege in Philippines -- Military.com/FOX News

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.

Read more ....

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

BREAKING NEWS: Armed Gunmen Are Attacking A Hotel Popular With Western Tourists In Manila --

Daily Mail: Tourists shot in ISIS hotel attack: Terrified guests jump from second-floor windows and dozens are injured as Islamists storm Philippines resort popular with Westerners

* Dozens of tourists are feared injured after an 'ISIS gunman' stormed Resorts World Manila, a resort hotel
* Shooting started at about midnight local time and witnesses described a 'two hour' onslaught of gunfire
* A masked gunman reportedly stormed second floor of one of the complex's four hotels and opened fire
* Footage, posted on social media, shows guests running for their lives as explosions and gunshots ring out
* IS said 'lonewolf soldiers' from its group carried out the attack, according to the SITE Intelligence Group
* Attack unfloded amid 10-day deadly siege by Muslim militants aligned to IS in the southern city of Marawi
* Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law last week to crush what he said was rising threat IS

Dozens of tourists are feared injured after ISIS gunmen opened fire at a hotel resort near Manila airport.

The shooting started at the popular Resorts World Manila in Pasay City, Philippines at about midnight local time and terrified witnesses described a 'two hour' onslaught of gunfire.

Explosions were also heard coming from the tourist hotpot and bloodied victims were seen being stretchered out of the building.

At least one masked gunman reportedly stormed the second floor of one of the complex's four hotels and fired at guests and staff.

Read more ....

More News On Today's Terror Attack In Manila

Philippines: gunfire and explosions reported at Manila resort – live -- The Guardian
Witnesses: Gunshots and explosions at Philippine mall -- AP
Explosions, gunshots at resort in Philippines capital -- Reuters
Gunmen open fire at Philippines resort, Trump calls shooting ‘terrorism’ -- ABC News
Resorts World Manila: Shooting at Philippines leisure complex -- BBC
Resorts World Manila attack: Injuries reported at hotel, casino complex in Philippines -- FOX News
Explosions, gunfire reported at Resorts World Manila in the Philippines -- CNN
Manila hotel shooting – ‘ISIS’ gunmen storm hotel in Philippine’s capital leaving several people injured amid fears Brits are caught up in attack -- The SUN
Manilla resort on lockdown as gunmen storm hotels -- Arutz Sheva
Resorts World Manila Video: Gunmen In Philippines Wore Black Clothes, Masks, Opened Fire On 3rd Floor [Photos] -- The Inquisitr
ISIS claim Resorts World Manila attack after 25 injured as masked men open fire in restaurant area of tourist complex -- Mirror

Is The Islamic State In The Philippines Becoming A Regional Threat?

Michael Sullivan, RCD: Islamic State in the Philippines - A Growing Regional Threat

Militants linked to the Islamic State are still battling government forces in Marawi City on the island of Mindanao. Since the fighting began a week ago, more than 90 people have been killed. Analysts are wondering why it's taking so long to dislodge the militants, and what that might mean for regional stability.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The current worry is that Indonesia may be the next target for the Islamic State .... Is Indonesia Islamic State’s next jihadi target? (John McBeth, Asia Times).

The Islamic State Is Now Pivoting To The Philippines

#ISIS-linked SE #Asia activity-4/22-6/23. Implications of new ISIS Philippines affiliation. https://t.co/aQBCYCZATk pic.twitter.com/v0XyMx0POd

— ISW (@TheStudyofWar) June 23, 2016

Long War Journal: Islamic State officially creates province in the Philippines

After months of buildup, which included pledges of loyalty from various local groups, the Islamic State has officially created a province in the Philippines. A newly released video from the region, which was produced in the same style as all other Islamic State provinces, offered confirmation of the new province.

The video begins by showing several “battalions” of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) pledging allegiance to the Islamic State. This includes the Abu Dujana Battalion, Abu Khubaib Battalion, Jundallah Battalion, and the Abu Sadr Battalion. These battalions joined others from ASG, including Jund al Tawhid, Ansar al Sharia, and Marakah al Ansar in pledging bayah to the Islamic State. Additionally, some of ASG’s leadership, including overall leader Isnilon Hapilon (who is shown in the video), have pledged to the jihadist group.

Read more ....

Update #1: Southeast Asian Islamic State unit being formed in southern Philippines — officials (GMA News)
Update #2: ISIS to followers in SE Asia: 'Go to the Philippines' (Rappler)

WNU Editor: Malaysia is also being targeted .... ISIS announces Asia pivot in propaganda video targeting Malaysia, Philippines (RT). More on malaysia here .... IS releases video to recruit Asians (Star Online).

Heavy Fighting Reported Between Islamic State Linked Militants And Philippine Soldiers With Heavy Casualties On Both Sides

Reuters: Philippine troops clash with Muslim rebels; 23 killed, 73 hurt

Philippine soldiers battled a group of about 120 Muslim rebels linked to Islamic State in a ten-hour assault on a southern island that killed 23 people, an army spokesman said on Sunday.

Major Filemon Tan said the military attacked a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf rebels on the island of Basilan led by Isnilon Hapilon, an insurgent for whom the U.S. State Department has offered a bounty of up to $5 million.

"I can confirm 18 soldiers were killed and 53 were wounded," Tan said, adding that five militants, including a Moroccan, Mohammad Khattab, and Ubaida, a son of Hapilon, were killed in Saturday's incident, which wounded 20 rebels.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Apparently the death toll is far higher and the fighting far more extensive than what is being reported by the international press .... Moroccan jihadist among more than 100 soldiers, rebels killed, wounded in Basilan (Manila Times)

More News On Heavy Fighting Reported Between Islamic State Linked Militants And Philippine Soldiers

Philippines Vows to 'Destroy' Militants Who Killed 18 Troops -- AP
Philippines Says 23 Died in Clash Between Army, Militants -- Bloomberg
Philippine soldiers killed in operation against Islamist militants -- France 24
Philippines Troops Clash With Abu Sayyaf Militants: 18 Soldiers, 5 Muslim Rebels Killed During 10-Hour Assault -- IBTimes
Philippines clashes kill 18 soldiers -- SKY News
Islamic militants kill 18 Philippine soldiers in worst clashes this year -- The Sun Daily
Soldier Deaths Raise Questions About Effectiveness of Philippines Counterterrorism -- WSJ