Marawi siege: Philippines defence minister declares end of fighting

Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on October 23 officially announced an end to a five-month battle against Islamic State supporters in the southern Philippines’ Marawi city.

Monday, October 23, 2017 15:50

Marawi siege: Philippines defence minister declares end of fighting ảnh 1

Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on October 23 officially announced an end to a five-month battle against Islamic State supporters.
(Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana onOctober 23 officially announced an end to a five-month battle against IslamicState supporters in the southern Philippines’ Marawi city.

“We now announce the termination of all combat operations in Marawi and thereare no more militants in Marawi,” he told reporters in Clark on the sidelinesof a meeting of regional defence ministers.

The armed forces chief General Eduardo Ano said that at least 42 bodies ofrebels were found in two buildings and a mosque in the battle zone.

The ensuing US-backed military campaign claimed the lives of at least 919militants, 165 soldiers and policemen, according to the military.

Over 1,700 soldiers and policemen were injured and some 400,000 residents weredisplaced as near-daily air strikes and intense ground combat left large partsof the city in ruins.-VNA

VNA

#Philippines #Marawi city #five-month battle #Islamic State supporters #Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana #US-backed military campaign #vietnamplus Philippines

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