Islamic State-linked groups monitored in Marawi

Terror groups with links to the Islamic State (IS) have been sighted in Marawi City and nearby areas, according to a non-government conflict monitoring group.

In a special bulletin, the International Alert-Philippines (IAP), said monitoring by the Lanao del Sur Emergency Response Network showed evidence of regrouping of IS-Dawla Islamiya forces in the Bubong-Kapai-Tagaloan II and Butig-Sultan Dumalondong-Marogong corridors.

The areas straddle the border of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur and Iranun corridor in Maguindanao.

“There is a distinct opportunity to prey on the deflected attention of the state as the central government redeploys military assets to support pandemic-related activities,” the IAP said.

The group said tension, pressure and violence brought about by the national health emergency is compounding the problem with terror groups.

The IAP conflict monitoring system recorded over 300 conflicts related to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in the Bangsamoro region and Eastern and Southern Mindanao from February to the first week of April.

Source: Philstar