GENEVA, June 1 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Thursday it was concerned for the safety of nearly 2,000 residents who remain trapped in the embattled Marawi City, in the southern Philippines due to conflict between government forces and militants there.
"We are extremely worried about the residents who've not been able to leave their homes because of the fighting and those people who are reportedly being held against their will," ICRC said in a written statement issued here on Thursday.
The number of civilian casualties had continued to grow after 10 days of fighting, ICRC said.
"We urge all those involved in the fighting to protect civilians. We hope that the people being held are being treated humanely and we call for their release," ICRC said.
According to the statement, the ICRC had been trying to negotiate safe access to the trapped civilians in Marawi.
Together with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), the ICRC said it had distributed aid to more than 10,000 displaced people, provided access to clean water, and enhanced the capacity of six local health facilities to provide basic health care to thousands of people.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law in Mindanao on May 23 following the attack on Maute group militants, which the Philippine leader said were trying to establish a caliphate for international terrorist group Islamic State (IS).
Using attack helicopters and light aircraft, the government military on Wednesday continued to battle with the remaining militants, and the target of the ongoing military clearing operations is reportedly to flush out the remaining 30 to 40 militants of the Maute group who are believed to be in the city.
