Army, IS-linked armed men clash in Lanao Sur

Mukaram said fighting is still going on as of posting time.  (Shutterstock)

COTABATO CITY — Heavy firefight erupted Thursday morning at the border of two upland towns in Lanao del Sur between the military and remnants of Maute terrorist group, police said.

Senior Supt. Madzgani Mukaram, Lanao del Sur police director, said soldiers belonging to the Army’s 49th and 55th Infantry Battalions engaged about 30 suspected members of the Maute terrorist group under Commander Abu Dar in the area.

Dar survived the government’s assault during the retaking of Marawi City following a five-month siege by terrorists in 2017 and assumed leadership of the Islamic State-linked gunmen in Lanao Sur.

“No casualty was reported on the government side, we are not sure on the enemy side,” Mukaram said in a phone interview, adding that the military had to use artillery to hit the terrorists hiding in the borders of Barangay Sumalindaw, Sultan Dumalundong town, and Barangay Piangulugan in Marogong town.

“The Army is requesting reinforcements to prevent the terrorists from fleeing to civilian areas, we are sending our police combat units,” Mukaram said.

The town of Sultan Dumalundong is adjacent to the town of Butig where the Maute group first hoisted its black flag after they overran the town hall in 2016.

Mukaram said fighting is still going on as of posting time.