Source: alwaght.com
The Philippine Army said about 300 civilians are still trapped in a part of Marawi City, which is controlled by ISIS fighters.
According to official sources, clashes in Marawi so far have resulted in killing 400 people. More than half of them ISIS fighters. Over 400 thousand civilians have been displaced from the city.
The Philippine Army announced that ISIS now has only 100 fighters in Marawi. The Philippine Army seks to liberated the whole city within days before Eid al-Fitr, fearing that ISIS fighters may receive support after Eid al-Fitr. However, this aim seems almost impossible as the battle enters its second month in Marawi.
The ISIS-linked Al-Naba’ Magazine published on 20 June infographics on the battle in Marawi, claiming that more than 271 Philippines soldiers were killed during four weeks of clashes. Al-Naba’ also claimed that US Air Force carried out air strikes in Marawi without any evidence.
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On Saturday, Australia announced that it would send two reconnaissance and surveillance aircrafts to participate in the Marawi battle against ISIS. The Philippine government welcomed Australian assistance.
It’s worth mentioning that foreign ministers and military and security leaders of the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism and to prevent ISIS from establishing areas of influence or regional bases in Southeast Asia during an extraordinary meeting in Manila.