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| Government troops head back to the site as they battle Muslim militants who lay siege in Marawi in southern Philippines Thursday, May 25, 2017. Army tanks packed with soldiers rolled into a southern Philippine city Thursday to try to restore control after ISIS-linked militants launched a violent siege that sent thousands of people fleeing for their lives and raised fears of extremists gaining traction in the country. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) |
The Washington Times
The White House on Thursday condemned “cowardly” Islamic State terrorists who have seized Christian hostages and overrun a large city in the Philippines in a firefight with the Filipino army.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer said the U.S. “will continue to provide support and assistance to Philippine counterterrorism efforts.”
“The United States condemns the recent violence perpetrated by an ISIS-linked terrorist group in the southern Philippines,” he said. “These cowardly terrorists killed Philippine law enforcement officials and endangered the lives of innocent citizens.”
Mr. Spicer said the Trump administration “will continue to work with the Philippines to address shared threats to the peace and security of our countries.”
Philippine army tanks have rolled into the southern city of Marawi in an effort to repel the Islamist insurgents. At least 21 people have been killed in the fighting, and thousands have evacuated the city.
The terrorists have raised the black flag of the Islamic State over the city and seized more than a dozen Catholic hostages.
