Two AP-3C Orion aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force will provide surveillance support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Canberra said. “Australia will continue to work with our partners in Southeast Asia to counter it,” she said. As soon as the AFP and the Australian military finalize operational details, the AP-3C Orion aircraft “will immediately assist in the ongoing operations” in Marawi City, he added. The IS-affiliated Maute group has been fighting government troops in Marawi City since May 23. The military earlier confirmed the presence of American troops in Marawi but clarified that their participation was limited to the sharing of intelligence.

Source: Manila Times June 23, 2017 16:41 UTC