At least 21 killed as Isis-linked militants rampage through Philippines city
Source: Associated Press
Militants linked to Islamic State swept through a southern Philippine city, beheading a police chief, burning buildings, seizing a Roman Catholic priest and his worshippers and raising the black flag of Isis, regional authorities have said.
President Rodrigo Duterte, who had declared martial law across the southern third of the country, warned he may expand it nationwide.
At least 21 people were killed in the fighting, officials said.
As details of the attack in Marawi emerged, fears mounted that the largest Roman Catholic state in Asia could join a growing list of countries grappling with the spread of influence from Isis in Syria and Iraq.
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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/24/isis-linked-militants-kill-police-chief-and-take-hostages-in-philippines
AP in Iligan City
Wednesday 24 May 2017 18.04 BST
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Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS | Wed May 24, 2017 | 1:23pm EDT
Thousands flee Philippine city after rebel rampage claimed by Islamic State
By Romeo Ranoco | PANTAR, PHILIPPINES
Thousands of civilians fled fighting in the Philippines on Wednesday as troops tried to fend off Islamist militants who took over large parts of a city, capturing Christians, seizing and torching buildings and setting free scores of prisoners.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the rampage via its Amaq news agency, and President Rodrigo Duterte defended his decision to declare martial law on Mindanao, the Muslim-majority island where Marawi City is located, to prevent the spread of extremism in the impoverished region.
The violence flared in Marawi on Tuesday afternoon after a botched raid by security forces on a hideout of the Maute, a militant group that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.
Fighters quickly dispersed, torching buildings and taking over bridges, a hospital, two jails, a church and a college. Duterte said he heard reports they may have beheaded a police chief.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-militants-idUSKBN18K08M
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