Troops continue to advance into IS-held areas in Marawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Security forces fighting local IS militants in the war-ravaged city of Marawi in the southern Philippines continued to advance in the main battle area and troops searched house-to-house, scouring for booby traps and improvised explosives that had killed scores of soldiers.

Security officials said militants have planted explosives in houses and buildings and structures they occupied, making it extremely difficult for troops to accomplish their mission – to kill the enemies, rescue civilian hostages and liberate Marawi, the capital town of Lanao del Sur.