Smoke and fire are seen after an OV-10 Bronco aircraft released a bomb, during an airstrike, as government troops continue their assault against insurgents from the Maute group, who have taken over parts of Marawi city, Philippines, on Saturday. (Reuters photo)SYDNEY: The Australian government said Friday that it would send spy planes to help the Philippine armed forces who are fighting to recapture the southern city of Marawi, where the military is battling militants for control. Philippine officials, citing intelligence information, said Friday that two militants believed to have backed a siege of the city have been killed in the fighting. Two military planes from Australia will provide surveillance support to the Philippine armed forces, said the Australian minister of defence, Marise Payne. “The regional threat from terrorism, in particular from Daesh and foreign fighters, is a direct threat to Australia and our interests,” Payne said, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group.

Source: Bangkok Post June 24, 2017 04:41 UTC