Philippines: At least 21 killed in ongoing siege in Marawi May 24 /update 2

Event

At least 21 people, including 13 militants and five soldiers, have been killed in the ongoing siege in Marawi City on the southern island of Mindanao according to Philippine government officials' statements on Wednesday, May 24. Militants reportedly beheaded a police chief, burned multiple buildings, and seized a Christian priest and his worshipers before raising the black Islamic State (IS) flag over the city. A military spokesman reported that troops had later cleared militants from a hospital (likely Amai Pakpak Medical Center), city hall, and Mindanao State University. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier told reporters that militant snipers were active in the city and the area was under a power blackout. Security forces have surrounded the city and set up checkpoints to search the vehicles of the thousands of fleeing civilians for weapons and militants. Avoid the area.

President Rodrigo Duterte previously declared martial law in Mindanao for 60 days due to the ongoing siege. According to Lorenzana, an estimated 100 IS-affiliated militants entered the city after a botched raid on a hideout of Isnilon Hapilon, a commander of the Abu Sayyaf militant group. The Islamic State released a statement through its Amaq News propaganda outlet, confirming that its fighters are involved in the clashes.

Context

Hapilon is wanted by the United States for carrying out terrorist attacks targeting US citizens. He is also suspected of attempting to unite the Filipino militant groups that have pledged allegiance to IS.

Abu Sayyaf is known for kidnapping people for ransom in southwest Mindanao (especially in Zamboanga province) and in the Sulu Archipelago (Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Basilan provinces). Sailors and foreigners are regularly abducted in the Sulu Sea. The Philippine military confirmed on February 27 that Abu Sayyaf had beheaded a German hostage after the deadline for the payment of his ransom had passed. The killing reportedly took place in Indanan on Sulu Archipelago. In late April 2016, Abu Sayyaf executed a Canadian hostage who was captured in September 2015 on Jolo Island and beheaded two Canadian hostages in mid-June 2016 after failing to receive a ransom for their release. Nearly 30 people are still being held hostage by Abu Sayyaf, including Indonesian, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Filipino, Japanese, Canadian, and Dutch citizens.

Advice

Individuals in Marawi City are advised to remain indoors, to monitor the situation, and to obey all instructions issued by the local authorities.

As a reminder, most Western governments formally advise against all travel to southwest Mindanao and to the Sulu Archipelago because of terrorist activity, regular clashes between the military and insurgent groups, and the risk of kidnapping by Abu Sayyaf.