MANILA: Six soldiers and at least one militant were killed in clashes on Mindanao island in the southern Philippines, as security forces pursued fighters responsible for a Catholic mass bombing last December.
According to Philippine army spokesman Colonel Louie Dema-ala, the confrontations occurred near Munai town, highlighting ongoing efforts against the Dawlah Islamiyah group.
The clashes resulted in casualties, with four soldiers wounded, while retreating gunmen left behind a comrade’s body.
Dawlah Islamiyah, among other armed Muslim factions, has pledged allegiance to ISIS, which claimed the December 3, 2023, bombing in Marawi that killed four and injured many.
Last month, security forces killed 10 Dawlah members, including alleged leader Khadafi Mimbesa, as part of anti-militant operations.
Decades-long unrest in the southern Philippines has seen militant attacks on buses, churches, and markets, with smaller groups like IS-linked militants continuing resistance despite peace pacts with larger rebel factions.
