- Title: Philippine military says area occupied by Islamic militants "getting smaller"
- Date: 21st June 2017
- Summary: MARAWI CITY, PHILIPPINES (JUNE 21, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM BURNING BUILDINGS/GUNSHOTS HEARD IN BACKGROUND GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY OFFICIALS HOLDING NEWS CONFERENCE INSIDE CAPITOL COMPLEX (SOUNDBITE) (Filipino/English) PHILIPPINE MILITARY SPOKESPERSON, JO-AR HERRERA, SAYING: "The area where the Maute can operate is getting smaller, so we are moving quickly. As I've said, the reason why our operations are slow is because of our clearing, because of the presence of fuel bombs, IEDs (improvised explosive devices) in the area which our special forces need to clear." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 5th July 2017 07:16
- Keywords: Marawi City Islamic militants operations Maute group soldiers
- Location: MARAWI CITY, PHILIPPINES
- City: MARAWI CITY, PHILIPPINES
- Country: Philippines
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Insurgencies
- Reuters ID: LVA0016M80405
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The military said on Wednesday (June 21) they have isolated the movement of Islamic militants amid an ongoing battle in a southern Philippine city.
Fighting in Marawi City against Islamic State-linked Maute group has entered a fifth week. Nearly 350 people have been killed with thousands displaced, according to an official count.
Philippine military spokesperson Jo-ar Herrera told journalists their clearing operations have been slow due to the number of traps left by the rebels.
The military has said it hopes to end the siege by the weekend of Eid festival, but did not specifically set a deadline. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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