Duterte declares Marawi liberated after five-month siege

Manila Oct 17 (IANS) Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday declared the conflict-hit city of Marawi liberated from Islamic State (IS)-affiliated militants following a five-month-long siege.

"I hereby declare the liberation of Marawi " CNN quoted Duterte as saying.

Duterte s announcement comes a day after the army killed Isnilon Hapilon the self-proclaimed emir of the IS in Southeast Asia and leader of the Islamist rebels in southern Philippines and Omar Maute

More than 800 militants and 162 government security forces have been killed in the nearly 150 days of fighting since the jihadi extremists took over the Muslim-majority city on May 23 according to General Eduardo Ano of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

During the fighting about 1 700 hostages were rescued including 20 on Monday he added.

The violence forced more than 350 000 residents to flee the city and the surrounding areas as their homes were reduced to rubble by airstrikes and militant fire.

Duterte declared martial law across the island which was extended in July until end of year despite questions over the move s constitutionality.

--IANS
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