Thick smoke billows from a residential area after an airstrike in Lanao Del Sur Province, the Philippines, May 27, 2017. The Philippine security forces continued their airstrikes, artillery fire and ground assaults on Saturday in the southern Philippine city of Marawi to take back full control of the city infiltrated by Islamic State-inspired militants. (Xinhua/STRINGER)
MARAWI CITY, the Philippines, May 27 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine security forces continued their airstrikes, artillery fire and ground assaults on Saturday in the southern Philippine city of Marawi to take back full control of the city infiltrated by Islamic State-inspired militants.
But it did not prevent Muslims from holding their first prayer for the start of their holy fasting month of Ramadan.
Aminola Mitmug, a native of this city, said they prayed on Saturday morning while bombs were exploding in nearby villages.
"In the first day of Ramadan, our main problem is lack of water and electricity. But we need to sacrifice. As Muslims, we accept all the trials with patience and we don't blame anyone for our situation today," he said.
"Allah will see how you will perform your worship with him despite trials," he added.
Fighting erupted on Tuesday when heavily-armed militant Maute group affiliated with Islamic State (IS) swooped into Marawi City, the capital of Lanao del Sur province.
President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law across the whole island of Mindanao.
The crisis has entered its fifth day. It was reported that more than 80 percent of the city's 200,000 population have evacuated to nearby Iligan City, as the military vows to use its "maximum power" to flush out terrorist groups.
Brig. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., chief of the armed forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command, told reporters they are now on the offensive and assured they will try their best to clear the city as soon as possible.
"I am asking for apology to our brother Muslims because the start of their fasting was affected by the fighting. We don't want this to happen," Galvez said.
Galvez said the military managed to gain control of "some areas" but admitted that there are still areas which are still under the control of the Maute militants.
"They are employing guerrilla warfare," he said, adding the insurgents are using snipers to fight the troops.
Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla also stressed the need to end the conflict as soon as possible, urging the city residents to cooperate in the ongoing clearing operations.
"In as much as we would like to avoid collateral damage, these rebels are forcing the hand of government by hiding and holding out inside private homes, government building and other facilities," Padilla said.
He said the refusal of the militants to surrender is holding the city captive.
"We desire to free Marawi City of those evil forces and make way for a peaceful Ramadan," Padilla said.
Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, an army spokesman based in Mindanao, said 41 members of the Maute militants have been killed in the firefight that broke out since Tuesday.
As fighting entered the fifth day, he said 13 soldiers and two policemen have also been killed and 45 soldiers wounded.
Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. said the military have been pounding with 105 howitzers the position of Maute and Abu Sayyaf militants since Friday.
"It's so painful because it seems we are not feeling the spirit of Ramadan. Unlike in previous years, when the fasting here were festive, particularly at night," Adiong said.
Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Saturday called on civilians to remain vigilant and cooperate with the military.
"Let us be considerate with our Muslim brothers and sisters who have started to observe the Ramadan. Let us pray for peaceful and swift operations to clear the city of violent extremists," Abella said.
