The city of Marawi has been engulfed by a deadly, ongoing siege since late May.
What is the reason for conflict?
Marawi City, is the capital and the largest city of the province of Lanao del Sur on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.
Marawi siege started in May 2017 when Philippine government security forces began to take on heavily armed militants linked to the Islamic State.
Militants also include the Maute and Abu Sayyaf Salafi jihadist groups.
The siege is also aimed to capture or kill Isnilon Hapilon.
Hapilon is the leader of the Abu Sayyaf Islamist group who was named emir of the “Caliphate” in Southeast Asia by IS head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2016.
Philippine President declared martial law across the island for 60 days.
Some blame the political leadership for ignoring the rise of the IS. e.g Philippine President rejected a ceasefire offer from the Maute group.
This group is on the front lines in the fight against the Philippine military in Marawi.
What is the present situation?
The death toll is estimated to be above 300.
Over 200,000 residents have fled what has effectively become an urban battlefield.
U.S’ military advisers and intelligence analysts have been deployed to aid Philippines.
Rebels still control key areas.
Many civilians remain in the area, complicating any planned government assault.
What is the significance?
IS jihadist have set Singapore as a target in their publications and videos.
Malaysia faced its first IS attack when a grenade injured eight people at a nightclub near Kuala Lumpur.
As the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, Indonesia is concerned that IS members could easily infiltrate.
So the present war has political significance throughout the region and beyond.
It is also seen as a move by Mr. Duterte’s to divert attention beyond the infamous brutal drug war that his government has waged.
Nevertheless, now Mr. Duterte is aiming to bring the battle to a quick, decisive end, and if necessary, to resume negotiations with some groups.
Tackling the humanitarian crisis created by this conflict depends on these negotiations and on relief efforts.
Mindanao has been rocked by armed insurgency for years. So to prevent future crisis the long neglect of Mindanao should be ended.
