Airstrikes launched on Maute positions in Marawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Updated 5:04 p.m.) — The military launched surgical airstrikes on selected targets where the Maute militants were holed up in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur on Thursday.

 

The airstrikes were followed by surgical operations by elite forces from the Special Operations Command.

 

Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of Western Mindanao Command, did not specify the targets of the airstrikes nor the aircraft used, but said they were launched against areas where Maute militants were holed up.

 

According to reports from the ground, Philippine Air Force MG520 attack helicopters were used in the airstrikes.

 

Petinglay said the air attack was launched after troops made sure there were no civilians left in the target area.

 

“The surgical airstrike was conducted to avoid any collateral damage,” Petinglay said.

 

She said surgical ground assaults had also been ongoing in other places in the city where the Maute militants were hiding.

 

On Wednesday, the military ruled out the use of airstrikes because of the risk of collateral damage as many residents were still leaving the city.

On Tuesday, Mindanao-based activist group Suara Bangsamoro warned of reports that aerial and artillery strikes were being planned against Maute group militants in the city and warned of the possible loss of civilian life.

"Suara Bangsamoro believes that the military operations against the Maute group in not enough reason to put the lives and livelihood of the civilians at risk," the group said.

Group spokesperson Jerome Succor Aba said in a statement that the government can let leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation front and religious leaders to talk to the Maute group to iron out plans to restore peace in the city.

"However, the diplomatic talks between Moro leaders and the Maute group will not prosper if the AFP will continue its military operations and bombings," he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law in Mindanao in response to the clashes with the Maute group that started when the militants fired on security forces out to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, who is believed to be in Lanao del Sur to link up with the Maute group.

The declaration of martial law was meant to address threats by the Maute group, Abu Sayyaf and other rebel groups, the Palace said in a report to Congress on the declaration of martial law.