BEIRUT, LEBANON (3:23 P.M.) – The Philippine Army has officially cleared the city of Marawi on Mindanao Island from Islamic State affiliated militants after a months-long military operation.
According to sources, the Philippine Army completed its operation to clear Marawi on Monday following a five-month campaign against ISIS-linked jihadists. It appears that the entire terrorist force which occupied the city has been killed.
In May, large parts of Marawi were seized by the ISIS-affiliated Maute and Abu Sayyaf militant groups in a shock attack involving at least 500 well organized and equipped jihadist sleeper agents.
Just one week ago – when the city was declared liberated – some thirty pro-ISIS fighters were reported to still be holding out in the city center.
Neutralizing these militants represented the last phase of the Philippine Army’s Marawi liberation, this being officially accomplished on Monday.
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