Marawi City a tool for jihadist recruitmenthome/News/Top Stories/Marawi City a tool for jihadist recruitmentMARAWI: Two years after Marawi City was overrun by jihadists, it remains in ruins, with experts warning that stalled reconstruction efforts are bolstering the appeal of extremist groups in the volatile region. The May 23, 2017 invasion by gunmen waving the black flag of the Islamic State (IS) group sparked a five-month battle that shattered swathes of the southern city. “Now it’s closer to our hearts because the narrative is Marawi,” said 32-year-old Sharief, who was himself displaced by the fighting. Though Duterte has tried to portray himself as sensitive to the Philippines’ Muslim minority, he has sent mixed signals about Marawi. Col. Romeo Brawner, commander of the 103rd Brigade based in Marawi City, said civilians and the Armed Forces had learned a handful from the siege.

Source: Manila Times May 23, 2019 16:07 UTC