Exclusive: U.S. forces join Philippine troops to end city siege
Source: Reuters
U.S. special forces are helping the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to end a siege of the southern town of Marawi by militants allied to Islamic State, a U.S. embassy spokesperson in Manila told Reuters on Saturday.
The seizure of Marawi by hundreds of fighters who have sworn allegiance to Islamic State, including dozens from neighboring countries and the Middle East, has fueled concern that the ultra-radical group is gaining a foothold in Southeast Asia.
"At the request of the government of the Philippines, U.S. special operations forces are assisting the AFP with ongoing operations in Marawi that help AFP commanders on the ground in their fight against Maute and ASG militants," the spokesperson said. ASG stands for the Abu Sayyaf militant group.
Until now there had been no confirmation that the Philippines had sought U.S. assistance in the battle for Marawi City on the island of Mindanao, which is in its third week.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-militants-usa-idUSKBN191068?il=0
WORLD NEWS | Sat Jun 10, 2017 | 1:37am EDT
By Manuel Mogato | MANILA
= new reply since forum marked as read
combat troops........interesting....Somalia, Philippines, Syria. May have been doing it all along but now with' little package' boy potus who would be CIC, open engagement in foreign military actions.....
