Marawi siege: Philippines defence minister declares end of fighting
Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on October 23 officially announced an end to a five-month battle against Islamic State supporters in the southern Philippines’ Marawi city.
Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on October 23 officially announced an end to a five-month battle against Islamic State supporters. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana onOctober 23 officially announced an end to a five-month battle against IslamicState supporters in the southern Philippines’ Marawi city.
“We now announce the termination of all combat operations in Marawi and thereare no more militants in Marawi,” he told reporters in Clark on the sidelinesof a meeting of regional defence ministers.
The armed forces chief General Eduardo Ano said that at least 42 bodies ofrebels were found in two buildings and a mosque in the battle zone.
The ensuing US-backed military campaign claimed the lives of at least 919militants, 165 soldiers and policemen, according to the military.
Over 1,700 soldiers and policemen were injured and some 400,000 residents weredisplaced as near-daily air strikes and intense ground combat left large partsof the city in ruins.-VNA
A five-day exercise simulating a hostage rescue and plane seizure held by Philippines and US forces to refocus their military alliance towards counter-terrorism finished on September 26.
Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines on October 12 launched their coordinated air patrols as part of effort to speed up their fight against Islamic militants, who have besieged Marawi, the southern city of the Philippines.
The government armed forces will liberate the southern Marawi city in a few days, announced General Eduardo Ano, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in a televised press conference on October 16.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on October 17 announced that the government’s armed forces have liberated southern Marawi city after the 148-day clashes against Islamic militants.
Filipino government forces have rescued all hostages held by the pro-Islamic States (IS) militants that took over southern Marawi city for five months, Colonel Romeo Brawner told a press conference on October 22.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on October 23 officially announced an end to a five-month battle against Islamic State supporters. 
