They fear the area is becoming a new hub for Islamist fighters from Southeast Asia and beyond. In a June 2016 video, it called on followers in Southeast Asia to go to the Philippines if they cannot reach Syria. They include the Islamic State's purported leader in Southeast Asia: Isnilon Hapilon, a Filipino on Washington's list of most-wanted terrorists, with a $5 million bounty on his head. Still, the Philippine government is partly to blame for Marawi's violence, said Zachary Abuza, a Southeast Asia expert at the National War College. The Pentagon retains between 50 and 100 special forces in the region.

Source: Fox News June 18, 2017 12:11 UTC