Philippines captures key pro-IS base in Marawi

MARAWI: The Philippine military said it had captured the command centre of Islamic State (IS) group supporters who have besieged a southern city for nearly four months.

Security forces have engaged in ferocious street-to-street combat and launched airstrikes in their efforts to expel the fighters from the city of Marawi, in a conflict that has raised fears that IS is looking to establish a South-East Asian base in the Philippines.

The military said it had captured the militants’ control centre in a deadly battle that began on Saturday in a mosque and another building.

“This enormous (military) gain further weakened the terrorist group by denying them their erstwhile command and control hub,” military chief General Eduardo Ano said in a statement yesterday.

“As follow-up and clearing operations continue, we expect the enemy to yield more previously occupied positions, but not without a fight. We are ready for that.”

Hundreds of armed extremists flying the black flag of the IS movement in the Middle East occupied Marawi, the Islamic capital of the mainly Catholic Philippines, on May 23.

More than 800 militants, government troops and civilians have been killed in the conflict, which has forced thousands to flee their homes and destroyed large parts of the once-bustling city.