MANILA: The Philippine military said Friday it had killed at least eight Islamic militants in an operation to stop jihadist efforts to set up base in the country’s south following the deadly five-month siege of Marawi city last year. A first attempt was put down last year after a US-backed military campaign that flattened Marawi and left more than 1,100 people dead. Survivors of the Marawi siege have recruited a fresh force of about 200 gunmen, according to the military, with President Rodrigo Duterte warning they could attack other Mindanao cities. Bisana said troops recovered the bodies of eight gunmen, although they believe the militants carried off 15 other dead comrades. He added that a soldier was also wounded in the fighting near the town of Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

Source: New Strait Times March 09, 2018 12:33 UTC