IS executes 6 hostages in Philippines

According to the Philippine military, IS gunmen from the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups executed six hostages in front of others because the victims refused to join the fight with the Philippine military in Marawi city.

Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Tampus, commander of the Philippine army fighting in the city, said that the three newly freed hostages confirmed that the IS terrorist group had forced the hostages to fight the Philippine army.

"The hostages were forced to do it. Six of the hostages were shot dead in front of the captives because they could not do anything according to the orders given by the terrorists," Mr. Tampus added.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Tampus, 1,722 civilians were rescued by the Philippine military during the assault on Marawi City, about 300 civilians are still trapped in areas held by IS gunmen in Marawi.

"The terrorists are still fighting back fiercely, but the IS gunmen are no longer firing continuously... The Maute and Abu Sayyaf militants are using sniper rifles and grenade launchers to repel the attacks," said Lieutenant Colonel Tampus.

The IS news agency Amaq said Maute and Abu Sayyaf snipers killed six Philippine soldiers, including an officer, in the Lillod Madia district of Marawi City. Dozens of IS militants still control key areas of the city. According to the Philippine government, more than 400 people have been killed in the battle for Marawi and the Philippine military has yet to fully retake the city.

According to Sputnik