ISIS-linked gunmen battle Philippine troops in southern city

AP ^ | 23 May 2017 | AP

[Theoria]

Philippine troops battled heavily armed militants backing the Islamic State group in a southern city Tuesday, as months of sporadic fighting in the countryside shifted alarmingly into an urban area.

Regional military spokesman Lt. Col. Joar Herrera said five government personnel were wounded in the clash with at least 15 fighters from a Muslim rebel group called Maute in the village of Basak Malutlut in Marawi, a bustling predominantly Muslim city in Lanao del Sur province.

Troops and special police forces attacked an apartment after the military obtained intelligence that Maute gunmen were hiding there with a top terror suspect, Herrera and another military official said.

"We're trying our best to contain the situation," Herrera said by telephone, adding that troops were moving carefully to avoid hitting civilians in the area of the fighting.

Officials could not immediately tell with clarity what was going on, and said they were checking reports that the militants had entered a hospital and raised a black Islamic State-style flag.

[Theoria]

BLACK FLAG. ISIS black flags are seen atop vehicles roaming the streets of Marawi City. Photo by Maulana Macadato members and their black flags, and fires breaking out Tuesday evening.

BASAK MALUTLUT. Clashes erupt as the military moves to hunt down high-value targets in Barangay Basak Malutlut, a commercial and residential area near the Mindanao State University. Photo by Mohammad Manshawi

MILITARY PRESENCE. The military deploys troops around the city as the situation worsens towards evening. Photo by Chico Dimaro Usman

POLICE CAR? Another ISIS black flag is seen atop what appears to be a police car taken by the Maute Group. Photo by Chico Dimaro Usman

MAUTE GROUP. Residents take photos of suspected members of the Maute Group from their house windows. Photo by Mohammad Manshawi

CHECKPOINTS. The military installs checkpoints to try to contain the Maute Group. Photo by Chico Dimaro Usman

WHO'S IN CONTROL? Army tanks are deployed to support troops on the ground. Photo by Mohammad Manshawi

MARAWI BURNING. 3 separate fires broke out enveloping the City Jail, Dansalan College, and Saint Mary's Church on Tuesday night. Photo from @du_kartoffel

[SandRat]

and I hope that all the ISIS linked troops are given “Philippine Hair Cuts”.

[Delta 21]

Just so we are clear.

[Parley Baer]

Yes, kill them all and maybe save on for torture to get all the information out of him.

[Parley Baer]

on = one

[SandRat]

You do know that I’m calling for their “Man Hood” to be totally cut off while they are still alive and sewn in their mouths, don’t you?

[BuffaloJack]

No don’t cut it off. Put a zip tie around it and cinch it tight to cut off the circulation.

[Mr. Jeeves]

I don’t think Duterte is a guy ISIS wants to mess with. Obama, sure, but this is different.

[VaeVictis]

They didn’t just raise a flag..... they separated out Christians from Muslims and executed the Christians. Reports have been all over twitter this morning about the killings.

They know all too well what the commies said: 1 man with a gun can control 100 without one.

[bunkerhill7]

Duterte goes to the Marawi battle zone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyomKexwc5w

[bunkerhill7]

Singapore newspaper puts out propaganda with no mention of invading ISIS Singaporeans/Malaysians/Indonesians killed leading the attack by Maute/Abu Sayaf on Marawi.

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/the-latest-unrest-in-southern-philippines-mindanao-explained