US army on ground near Marwai City, supporting Phillipines against ISIS.
MANILA:
Armed US troops are on the ground near the besieged Marawi City in the Philippines, but they are in a support role and not participating in fighting ISIS terrorists, a Philippines military spokesman said today.
"There are some US personnel who are operating equipment to provide information on situation awareness to our troops," Brigadier General Restituto Padilla told a news conference.
"I do not know the exact number and the specific mission. They are allowed to carry rifles for self-defence. But they are not allowed to fight, they only provide support," he said.
© Thomson Reuters 2017