Manila, May 30.─ Teenage gunmen have been fighting with Islamist militants besieging the southern Philippine city of Marawi, fleeing witnesses have claimed.
More than 50,000 people have escaped and at least 19 civilians are among almost 100 killed since militias affiliated with Isil overran the Muslim-majority city of 200,000 last week.
That prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to send in the military. After unleashing helicopters and heavy artillery, Philippine forces said yesterday they now controlled most of the city, with only small pockets being held by militants.
The Islamist fighters have shown unexpected strength, despite evacuees describing several as young teenagers whose commanders were in their early twenties ...
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