THE death toll in ongoing clashes between government troops and the Maute terrorist group in Marawi City has reached 529, the military said, as ground commanders weighed whether or not to extend the 60-day martial law imposed over Mindanao. All FA50 aircraft will not be used in clearing operations in Marawi City, he said. In a statement, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the incident only reflected the “harsh nature of urban warfare” in Marawi City. The Defense chief described the urban warfare in Marawi City as similar to the Middle East offensives in Mosul, Fallujah and Raqqa. Aside from going after the Maute terrorists, the military is still clearing more or less 600 buildings in Marawi City.

Source: Manila Times July 13, 2017 16:41 UTC