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ISIS’ Newest Franchise Player Is Already Robbing Cops, Raiding Prisons

REUTERS/Joe Penney

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Ryan Pickrell China/Asia Pacific Reporter
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Islamic militants flying the Islamic State (ISIS) banner raided a Philippine prison Saturday night and freed eight of their comrades, along with 20 other inmates, reports the Philippine Star.

Around two dozen gunmen affiliated with the Maute Group stormed the Lanao del Sur provincial prison in Marawi with RPGs, AK-47s and M-14s at dusk Saturday. In addition to liberating inmates, the attackers also stole weaponry from the security personnel.

The Maute Group is a Muslim militant group that operates out of Butig and is led by Abdullah Maute, who is reported to have sworn allegiance to ISIS. Maute, the alleged founder of Dawlah Islamiya, which translates to Islamic State, is said to have been among the eight militants freed during the raid. The other seven were Abdul Jabbar Tominaman Macabading, Jamil Batoa Amerul, Muhammad Sianodin Mulok, Omar Khalil, Nasifa Pundug, Hafidah Romato Maute, and Norhanna Balawag Maute.

The eight Maute escapees were captured recently with homemade mortars at a security checkpoint, explained The New York Times. The other convicts who were released during the recent prison raid were reportedly being held for murder and drug-related crimes.

The Maute Group, the latest Muslim militant group in the Philippines to align itself with ISIS, is responsible for a number of bombings and kidnappings in the Mindanao region, where Marawi is located. While the majority of the Philippines is Catholic, Mindanao is predominantly Muslim. This region is home to several militant separatist groups, some of which have sworn allegiance to ISIS, reports the BBC.

The Maute Group beheaded a soldier in March and two local workers in April. This group also launched an assault on an army base in July. Over the past few months, the Maute Group has also been involved in several deadly skirmishes with the Philippine military.

It was initially reported that the Maute Group was simply an armed militant group; however, Philippine troops discovered ISIS training manuals and paraphernalia at a Maute Group camp after an altercation back in March. The discovery indicated that the group hoped to establish formal ties with ISIS, explained the Philippine Star.

Evidence from this recent prison raid suggests that the Maute Group is, in fact, fighting for ISIS; however, it is unclear whether or not the two groups are cooperating or are in communication with one another.

Saturday’s raid in Marawi was not the first time ISIS or an affiliate of ISIS has led an assault against a prison to free its fighters, it’s been somewhat of a hallmark.

Following a bloody attack in May of last year which left 12 police officers and 50 inmates dead, 40 inmates, including several convicted terrorists, escaped a prison in Al-Khalis, Iraq. That same month, ISIS staged a prison break in Palmyra, Syria. Two days prior, ISIS broke into a prison in Ramadi, Syria, where it added around 400 members to its ranks.

While Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has attempted to make peace with Muslim insurgencies like the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, he has vowed to “destroy” militants with clear ties to ISIS, such as the Maute Group and the Abu Sayyaf Group.

The Philippine army engaged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu Friday, says the Asian Correspondent. Twelve Muslim militants were killed in the battle.

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