Murad said the Islamic State-linked militants wanted his group to broker their possible withdrawal from Marawi city during the major military offensive against them but he refused to intervene. (Bullit Marquez/Associated Press)MANILA, Philippines — The leader of the Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group says Islamic State-linked militants wanted his group to broker their possible withdrawal from Marawi city during the major military offensive against them but he refused to intervene. The violence underscores the urgency for the government and the Moro rebel group to implement a 2014 Muslim autonomy deal to help stop the rising tide of extremism, he said. “After a series of dialogue, they came up with a proposal, they said, ‘we will leave but the MILF should intervene,” Murad said of the militants’ demand that was relayed by the ulamas to his rebel group. Ceasefire monitors from the government, the rebel group and foreign peacekeepers have been stationed in Butig to prevent any problem, he said.

Source: Washington Post July 19, 2017 02:22 UTC