Marawi: the world’s latest war zone
Thousands fled the Philippine city last week as Islamic State militants clashed with armed forces.
On Tuesday May 23, Islamic militants took over the city of Marawi in the Philippines. Since then, at least 97 people have died according to the Filipino military. One week later, the military has not fully reclaimed the city from the militants.
The incident began on Tuesday, May 23 when a joint operation of Filipino army and police attempted to capture militant leader Isnilon Hapilon according to the armed forces. Hapilon is believed to be the leader of an Islamic fundamentalist group linked to the Islamic State. The operation went wrong when militants called in reinforcements. Hapilon is believed to still be in Marawi, he was not captured in the raid.
By late Tuesday afternoon downtown Marawi was a war zone. Members of the Maute group, an Islamist miltant group who recently pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, exchanged gunfire with Filipino soldiers and police officers. There were rumors that the militants had occupied the city’s hospital and taken doctors hostage. A military spokesman later said that those allegations were false.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said a local police chief was stopped at a militant checkpoint and beheaded. A military spokesman said the militants erected Islamic State flags at several locations.
Tuesday night, hours after the crisis began, buildings were seen burning in Marawi and a government official confirmed that the city jail and a local college were on fire.
Duterte cut short a visit to Moscow and declared martial law in the region as thousands of residents fled Marawi. Those who stayed barricaded themselves in their homes as ferocious firefights raged between the Filipino army and the militants.
By Wednesday May 24 the militants had control of several neighborhoods in Marawi. Members of the Maute group were photographed patrolling the streets and there were reports of them questioning people about their religion and taking hostages.
On Thursday May 25 as it became clear that the militants had no intention of relinquishing the city, the military began bombing residential areas of Marawi.
Marawi is a Muslim-majority city of 200 000 people on the island of Mindanao in the south of the Philippines.
The Filipino government estimated that there are approximately 260 armed militants fighting in Marawi.
As of Tuesday May 30 the militants were still in control of some areas of the city.
First Degree is a crime column written by Matt Lapierre published every Tuesday by The Pitchwriter. Follow us to receive our stories every day in your inbox.
