Philippine city of Marawi was devastated by fight against Islamic State. Now its painfully slow recovery fuels resentment
- After several false starts the government does not expect rebuilding to be finished before the end of 2021
- The delays have left about 100,000 residents displaced, intensifying anger and extremist sympathies
The May 23, 2017 invasion by gunmen waving the black flag of the Islamic State (Isis) group sparked a five-month battle that shattered swathes of the southern city.
Demolition of blast-pocked buildings has finally begun, but after several false starts the government does not expect rebuilding to be finished before the end of 2021.
The delays have left about 100,000 residents in squalid relocation camps or sharing homes with relatives, feeding simmering anger among the displaced and providing a recruiting tool for extremists.
“The narratives [to join Isis] used to be about the Middle East and the plight of Muslims around the world,” said Mouhammad Sharief, 32, who co-founded a support group for Marawi’s youth. “Now it’s closer to our hearts because the narrative is Marawi.”
