The black flag of ISIS has been raised in the Philippines. At least 103 people have died in the city of Marawi on the southern island of Mindana o in less than a week as fighters affiliated with the so-called Islamic State engaged in violent clashes with government forces, and martial law was declared over the entire island. Local resident Chico Usman said the militants had entered the predominantly Muslim city of some 200,000 suddenly, on the afternoon of May 24, wearing masks and carrying assault rifles.
Over in Mosul, wearing full Islamic veils for women including niqab has been banned in public places in newly liberated parts of Mosul. This is part of new security measures to confront possible suicide bombing attacks during Ramadan, according to a statement from Nineveh police office Sunday. The statement said since “ISIS secret cells” in the city could attack targets using suicide bombers in full Islamic veils, both burqa and niqab will be banned during the month of Ramadan. Iraq’s special forces launched a large-scale military offensive Sunday to retake the remaining neighborhoods under ISIS control in western Mosul.
Lastly, British Airways passengers are facing a third day of disruption at Heathrow as the airline deals with the impact of a worldwide computer system crash. Cancellations and delays affected thousands of passengers at both Heathrow and Gatwick on Saturday and Sunday. The airline said there was no evidence the computer failure was the result of a cyber-attack.
