Marawi: Tales of Escape, Loss and Hope by Julie Batula / IOM 2017
After months of devastating conflict, Marawi’s displaced families finally return home.
The battle for Marawi began on 23 May 2017 when the Philippine military tried to capture Isnilon Hapilon, the head of a southern militia that has pledged loyalty to the so called ‘Islamic State’ terror group. Another pro-IS brigade called the Maute Group allied with the militia, making the battle harder, longer and deadlier. Hostages were oppressed and prisoners from the local jail were freed by the group which took over the city.
Thousands were displaced people from the recently war-torn Marawi City, the capital of the only city in Lanao del sur which is at the Southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines.
Five months on, the fighting resulted in hundreds killed — militants, soldiers and civilians — and left thousands of families homeless and stuck in evacuation centres.
Now, almost three months after Marawi declared liberation, survivors tell their stories of escape, loss and hope. IOM traveled with some of them who are finally returning to what’s left of their homes.
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