The Philippine military reported that a major raid has killed 24 suspected local supporters of the Islamic State group and claimed their remote southern stronghold.

Spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Restituto Padilla said about 2,000 troops took part in the week-long campaign in Butig town in Lanao del Sur province.

Six military personnel were killed and a dozen wounded in the operation, he added.

Spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Restituto Padilla (Source: AFP)

On February 20, about 40 militants attacked an army camp in Butig on in the predominantly Muslim region about 840 kilometers south of Manila.

More militants, some wearing black arm and head bands with Islamic State group-style symbols, later joined in the fighting, prompting the military to deploy three battalions of troops backed by assault helicopters and artillery fire, according to the military.

(Source: VNA)