Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a 60-day period of martial law on Mindanao island, following clashes between the army and militants with links to Islamic State.
Militants from a Muslim rebel group called the Maute, also known as the Islamic State of Lanao, took to the streets armed with automatic weapons.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"As many as 100 gunmen laid siege to the city of 200,000, the city hall, a hospital, the jail, a college and some houses in one of the boldest attacks seen in years," The Australian newspaper says.
General Eduardo Ano confirmed that at least one police officer was killed and eight more wounded.
Duterte said he would keep the island under military rule for a year if necessary.
"I was asked how I would deal with terrorism. I said I'd be harsh. I told everyone, 'Do not force my hand into it,'" he said.
Duterte made the announcement while on a visit to Russia as "part of an attempt to reorient his country's geopolitical alliance further away from the US and towards Moscow", The Guardian says.
During his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Duterte also said the Philippines "needed more modern weapons to fight IS militants and other militant groups", the BBC says.
-
Why is Prince William in Saudi Arabia?Today’s Big Question Government requested royal visit to boost trade and ties with Middle East powerhouse, but critics balk at kingdom’s human rights record
-
Wuthering Heights: ‘wildly fun’ reinvention of the classic novel lacks depthTalking Point Emerald Fennell splits the critics with her sizzling spin on Emily Brontë’s gothic tale
-
Why the Bangladesh election is one to watchThe Explainer Opposition party has claimed the void left by Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League but Islamist party could yet have a say
-
Epstein files topple law CEO, roil UK governmentSpeed Read Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the US, is caught up in the scandal
-
Iran and US prepare to meet after skirmishesSpeed Read The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East
-
Israel retrieves final hostage’s body from GazaSpeed Read The 24-year-old police officer was killed during the initial Hamas attack
-
China’s Xi targets top general in growing purgeSpeed Read Zhang Youxia is being investigated over ‘grave violations’ of the law
-
Panama and Canada are negotiating over a crucial copper mineIn the Spotlight Panama is set to make a final decision on the mine this summer
-
Why Greenland’s natural resources are nearly impossible to mineThe Explainer The country’s natural landscape makes the task extremely difficult
-
Iran cuts internet as protests escalateSpeed Reada Government buildings across the country have been set on fire
-
US nabs ‘shadow’ tanker claimed by RussiaSpeed Read The ship was one of two vessels seized by the US military
