Security forces traded heavy gunfire with Islamist militants inside a southern Philippine city Monday, as fears grew for up to 2,000 people unable to escape a week of fighting that has left women and children among the dead. But adding to the fears for those who remained, the military announced on the weekend that it would intensify a bombing campaign on the areas being held by the militants. Duterte and military chiefs have said most of the militants belong to the local Maute group, which has declared allegiance to IS and which the government estimates has about 260 armed followers. Duterte had previously said local criminals were also backing the Maute in Marawi. The Maute and other small hardline groups are not interested in negotiating and have in recent years looked to IS to help them.

Source: Egypt Independent May 29, 2017 09:00 UTC