IS owns up to siege, thousands flee Marawi

The Islamic State (IS) has owned up to attacks in Marawi City, Lanao del Norte, that prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to place the entire Mindanao island under martial law late Tuesday and forced thousands to flee the city on Wednesday for fear of being caught in the crossfire between government troops and the terrorist Maute Group.

“Five jasus or spies of the Philippine Army were executed in Marawi City in southern part of the Philippines,” Amaq news agency, an IS propaganda arm, reported in its bulletin.