Philippines says foreigners among IS-linked gunmen in south
ILIGAN, Philippines — Foreign fighters are among the militants linked to the Islamic State group who are battling government troops in the southern Philippines, an official said Friday.
Solicitor General Jose Calida said Indonesians and Malaysians are fighting alongside the gunmen who attacked Marawi, a city of some 200,000 people on Mindanao island.
“What is happening in Mindanao is no longer a rebellion of Filipino citizens,” Calida told reporters. “It has transmogrified into an invasion by foreign terrorists who heeded the clarion call of ISIS.”
Philippine troops backed by armoured vehicles and rocket-firing helicopters are fighting to re-take control of Marawi, which has been under siege by gunmen linked to the IS group since a raid earlier this week failed to capture one of Asia’s most-wanted militants.