13 Philippine marines killed in clash with ISIS affiliates

More than a dozen Philippine marines have been killed during a battle with ISIS-affiliated terrorists.


The Philippine military said Saturday 13 marines were killed and at least 40 more were injured during the 14-hour clash with members from the Abu Sayyaf and Maute groups in the city of Marawi.

Marines began the clash early Friday when military forces targeted a group of militants holding civilians hostage and the fighting continued through Saturday.

"The marines were able to inflict heavy casualties to the terrorist group," military spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo told the New York Times.

The clash was believed to be the deadliest single-day toll for the Philippine military against the Abu Sayyaf and Maute groups, as the 13 casualties raised the death toll for government forces to 58.
 [upi.com]
10/6/17