61 ISIL-linked militants killed by Philippine army

At least 61 militants were killed by Philippine army in Marawi as of Saturday and 25-30 weapons were seized, said Philippine military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.

Philippine military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla./ CGTN Photo

The ISIL-linked militants occupied Marawi near a week. Philippine troops on Thursday launched surgical airstrikes on targets where militants were holed up in the besieged city. The military said no civilians in the target areas.

On Sunday morning, eight dead civilians, who were reportedly laborers, found in Marawi, most of them shot in the head and some with hands ties behind their backs. They were reportedly stopped by ISIL linked militants on the outskirts of Marawi.

CGTN Photo

The death toll of civilians remained uncertain. However, AP said the bodies of at least 19 civilians, including children, were found, and 11 troops were dead as of Sunday, bringing the overall death toll from nearly a week of fighting to at least 97.

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