Philippines Warns Islamic State Militants to Surrender

The Philippine government has warned militants affiliated with the Islamic State group, ISIS, in the south of the country to surrender. Heavy military clashes in the city of Marawi entered their eighth day on Tuesday, June 9. Philippine military forces are using heavy weaponry such as armored vehicles and helicopters to regain full control of the city from Islamic State loyalists. The clashes in Marawi began after Philippine security forces attempted to capture Isnilon Hapilon, the self-proclaimed emir of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia. Reports and images from the conflict areas in Marawi indicate house-to-house fighting between the Philippine army and the militants. Reuters, citing the Philippine army, reported that over a hundred people, mostly militants, have been killed in the clashes. Most residents of Marawi have also fled the city. The militants have taken a Catholic priest and dozens of civilians hostage, demanding that the Philippine president comply with their demands to save their lives. A Philippine political official stated that government forces have managed to reclaim 85 percent of Marawi from the Islamic State militants, but clearing the rest of the city is challenging due to narrow streets and the large number of civilians present.