90 Percent Of Marawi Control By Philippines

Fleeing residents quoted describing scores of
bodies as government forces battle ISIL-linked
group for control of city.

The Philippine government says its troops have taken 
control of 90 percent of Marawi city, after fighters who 
swore allegiance to ISIL seized it three weeks ago.

The latest news comes just a day after a politician said 
that residents fleeing the city had seen scores of bodies, 
as intense fighting between security forces and ISIL, or 
the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, continued.

"Dead bodies, at least 100, scattered around the 
encounter area," Zia Alonto Adiong, a politician in the 
area  who is helping in rescue and relief efforts, said on Thursday, referring to accounts he had received from 
fleeing residents.

The military said it could not confirm the report.

Thousands have been forced to leave their homes, as 
about 150 fighters are still putting up a fight in Marawi.

Rescuers fear that hundreds of people may still be
 trapped as fighting continues, and that many of them 
face starvation or have been killed in the crossfire.

Many of the displaced are currently living in evacuation
centres across Lanao province.

The army has said 290 people have been killed in the 
fighting, including 206 fighters, 58 soldiers and 26 
civilians.

Lieutenant-Colonel Jo-Ar Herrera, a military spokesman, 
said troops were advancing towards the commercial 
centre of Marawi, which is held by the fighters.

"We intend to finish the fight as soon as possible. Our 
tactical commanders are doing their best," Herrera said.

But many of the remaining ISIL-linked fighters had taken 
up sniper positions, he said, complicating the advance.

"The battlefield is very fluid," he said.