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2017-06-18 Southeast Asia
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Philippine troops pound Maute remnants
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 [AFP] The Philippine military pounded Islamist rebels holding parts of southern Marawi city with air strikes and artillery on Saturday as more soldiers were deployed and the death toll rose to more than 300 after nearly a month of fighting. 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.
President Rodrigo Duterte, appearing in public for the first time in nearly a week, said the presence of foreign fighters among the rebels in Marawi have made the fighting more difficult. He said, "You have a conglomeration there of ISIS fighters from Syria, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lankan and Arabs. We have to use the air assets because we are up against fighters from the Middle East and they have learned the art of brutal killing—they will burn you, behead you."
Also on Saturday, 400 fresh troops were airlifted to Marawi from the central Philippines.
Military spokesman Jo-ar Herrera said, "Our forces are moving towards the heart of the enemy. It's the center of gravity. This is where the location of their command and control, the leadership of the enemy."
Ground commanders estimate more than 100 rebels are still holding out in at least four villages in Marawi, military spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said in Manila. But he said the figures were based on estimates a few days ago "so this number could have dropped significantly."
Earlier, Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, martial law spokesman for Eastern Mindanao, said boats sailing in the Davao Gulf were being profiled and registered to prevent terrorists from entering the area. This came after reports that some members of the Maute group have begun fleeing to Eastern Mindanao.
Security forces were also mobilized to prevent any spillover from Marawi City and protect Eastern Mindanao from terrorists. 
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Posted by ryuge 2017-06-18 00:00||
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File under: Islamic State
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Posted by Frank G 2017-06-18 09:23||
2017-06-18 09:23||
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