Backed by tanks and helicopters, Philippine government forces launched “precision attacks” Thursday to clear militants linked to the Islamic State group from a city that has been under siege since a failed raid to capture a militant on the US list of most-wanted terrorists.
Militants 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.
Around 20 people have died in the fighting, including 13 militants and five soldiers, said Lt Col Jo-ar Herrera, a military spokesman. President Rodrigo Duterte said a local police chief was stopped at a militant checkpoint and beheaded.
It was not immediately clear whether civilians were among the dead. Duterte imposed 60 days of martial law Tuesday on the island of Mindanao, which encompasses the southern third of the nation and is home to 22m people. Marawi has a population of around 200,000. The man at the centre of the Marawi violence is Isnilon Hapilon, an Arabic-speaking Islamic preacher known for his expertise in commando assaults. He is at the nexus of several militant groups that are trying to merge into a more powerful force. Hapilon, who is a commander of the Abu Sayyaf militant group, pledged allegiance to the IS in 2014. He also heads an alliance that includes at least 10 smaller militant groups, including the Maute, which have a heavy presence in Marawi and were instrumental in fighting off government forces in this week’s battles. All these groups are inspired by the IS, but so far there is no sign of significant, material ties.At least 21 people have died since fighting erupted late Tuesday in the besieged southern Philippine city of Marawi. https://t.co/8sP93AsaPs pic.twitter.com/4Zb5eTf8B1
— ABC News (@ABC) May 25, 2017
Philippine troops try to retake city stormed by ISIS allies; at least 21 have died in fighting since late Tuesday https://t.co/3VAGaHcR2o pic.twitter.com/to6Np6LzST— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 25, 2017
Washington has offered a $5m reward for information leading to Hapilon’s capture, but he has proved elusive. The Philippines launched an airstrike that wounded him in January, but he got away.
The army raided what it believed to be his hideout on Tuesday night in Marawi, but the operation quickly went wrong. Militants called in reinforcements and were able to overpower government forces. Once again, Hapilon escaped.
Soldiers launch attacks in besieged Philippine city - CTV News https://t.co/sYwr9UQ1qv pic.twitter.com/7sQsH0REKo
— newsa.com Canada (@newsaCANADA) May 25, 2017
Much of Marawi was still a no-go zone Thursday. Automatic gunfire and explosions could be heard clearly and plumes of black smoke rose from the direction of the city centre. Air force helicopters swooped overhead.
As authorities try to gain more control over the city, disturbing details have emerged.
Militants forced their way into the Marawi Cathedral and seized a Catholic priest, 10 worshippers and three church workers, according to the city’s bishop, Edwin de la Pena. The black flags of the IS were planted atop buildings and flown from commandeered vehicles, including a government ambulance and an armoured car, said Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr, vice governor of Lanao del Sur province, of which Marawi is the capital.
The problem of militancy in the south, the scene of decades-long Muslim separatist uprisings in the predominantly Catholic nation, is not new.