A Philippine military official said air and ground attacks had been waged against a group of ISIS-linked militants, including their leader, who led a five-month raid in Marawi Town, southern Philippines last year.
The army colonel, Romeo Brawner, said the military received reports that at least five militants were killed in the attack on Sunday (17/06/2018), but the deaths have not been confirmed. The attack led to fighting between soldiers and extremists in the mountainous regions of Lanao del Sur province. Hundreds of villagers fled from nearby towns while the onslaught was under way.
Brawner said Monday the attack targeted some 40 militants led by Owayda Benito Marohombsar, who used the name de guerre Abu Dar. He was among the men who led the attack on Marawi, but managed to escape before government forces cracked down on militant resistance in October.