Militants of the IS-linked Maute Group are using women and children as human shields in their ongoing clash with the Philippine army in the southern city of Marawi, an army spokesman says.
Up to 100 Islamist rebels are entrenched in several neighbourhoods in Marawi, and are holding an unknown number of civilians as hostages.
Army spokesman Restituto Padilla said during a press conference that the army has been conducting targeted airstrikes to neutralise militant positions.
At least 10 soldiers were killed and seven wounded in friendly fire during a botched air strike by the army against suspected rebel hideouts, Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana said earlier on Thursday.
Padilla raised the death toll in the incident to 11 and said rebel snipers have been targeting ground troops as well as army helicopters.
According to official figures, at least 139 people have died in the ongoing conflict in Marawi between the army and the rebels, supported by several foreign fighters.
According to the government only 19 civilians have been killed so far, although South Lanao Province Crisis Management Committee spokesperson, Zia Alonto Adiong said the civilian casualty would be around 100.
The clashes erupted on May 23, when an army offensive to capture Isnilon Hapilon, leader of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, also loyal to IS, and who was being sheltered by members of the Maute Group in Marawi, failed.
The Islamists retaliated by seizing part of the city and torching a police station, a school, a prison and a church, where they kidnapped a priest and 13 parishioners, who they are still holding hostage.
The army was deployed under martial law declared by President Rodrigo Duterte.
