Soldiers disembark from a military truck as they search for residents still trapped in their homes in Marawi City in Lanao Del Sur Province, the Philippines, June 1, 2017. More elite troops will be flown to the besieged Marawi City in the southern Philippines to flush out 30 to 40 militants of Maute group who are holed up in some parts of the city, Philippine authorities said on Wednesday. One of the priorities is to rescue some 2,000 civilians trapped in the conflict areas. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
MANILA, May 31 (Xinhua) -- More elite troops will be flown to the besieged Marawi City in the southern Philippines to flush out 30 to 40 militants of Maute group who are holed up in some parts of the city, Philippine authorities said on Wednesday.
Using attack helicopters and light aircraft, the military on Wednesday are continuing to battle with the remaining militants.
"The sounds of the rocket airstrike are like thunder. After the airstrike, we saw a large flume of smoke hanging over the target area," said Xinhua photographer in Marawi City.
Some residents are forced out of their houses by the soldiers who kicked in their doors, the photographer said.
"Some residents carry white flags as they walk on the streets with their belongings on their back,"the photographer said.
The target of the ongoing military clearing operations is to flush out the remaining 30 to 40 militants of Maute group who are believed to be in the city.
Security measures have been intensified to prevent the militants from escaping, army spokesman Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera said.
"The battlefield is very dynamic," he told reporters, adding that the remaining militants continue to resist, using snipers to shoot the government forces.
"They have high-powered firearms. They've occupied vantage positions so they will see the approaches of government forces," Herrera said.
One of the priorities is to rescue some 2,000 civilians trapped in the conflict areas. "They are trapped, they are indoor and couldn't get out," he said.
Since Monday, the military has used SF-260 planes with rockets and guns in launching surgical airstrikes. These attack aircraft are capable of dropping bombs, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.
"We employ commensurate forces against whatever resistance there in the area," he said.
Twenty four more Maute group militants have been killed in the ongoing clashes, bringing to 89 the total number of killed militants since the attack broke out May 23. 21 soldiers and policemen have been killed and 72 others have been wounded in the government side, he added.
At least 19 civilians have been reportedly killed so far, Padilla said, adding nearly 1,000 people have been rescued.
Among those still being taken hostage by the militants were a Catholic priest, three church workers and 10 worshippers, according to local media reports.
The military is also hunting Isnilon Hapilon, the Abu Sayyaf leader who sparked the clash between the army and members of the Maute group. He is allegedly the leader of the Southeast Asia branch of the Islamic State (IS).
President 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 IS.
