
Philippine troops of a southern Philippine city where Islamic State supporters waged a brutal five-month battle began leaving Marawi on October 25, as a group of journalists were given the first ever press tour of the devastated city. / AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBE



More than 350,000 people from in and around Marawi, the Philippines’ Islamic capital, were displaced because of the conflict, which ended on October 23 when soldiers killed the remaining gunmen inside a mosque. But, with the eastern half Marawi nearly totally destroyed and concerns over bombs planted by the militants, authorities have said it could be months or even years before many people can return.
/ AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBE /

/ AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBE