Philippines Declares Siege by Islamic Terrorists Over in Marawi City

Philippines concerned that ISIS loyalists have ambitions to make the Muslim areas Mindanao a base for SE Asia operations

Damaged buildings are seen after government troops cleared the area from pro-ISIS terrorist groups inside a war-torn area in Marawi city, southern Philippines on Oct. 23, 2017. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

CLARK, Philippines–The Philippines declared an end on Monday to five months of fierce urban warfare in a southern city held by pro-ISIS terrorists, a battle that has marked the country’s biggest security crisis in years.

Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said combat operations had been terminated, after troops prevailed in the last stand against gunmen who clung on inside several buildings in the heart of Marawi.