Overview

• The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a bombing at a Catholic mass in the Philippines that resulted in four deaths and over 50 injuries.
• The attack took place in a university gymnasium at Mindanao State University in Marawi, the country's largest Muslim city, which was previously besieged by extremist militants in 2017.
• Police are pursuing four suspects, two of whom are linked to a local militant group and were seen at the scene prior to the explosion.
• President Ferdinand Marcos has blamed 'foreign terrorists' for the attack and has assured that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
• The attack may have been a retaliation for recent military operations against three militant groups, including the killing of an Abu Sayyaf 'bomb expert' who was allegedly responsible for a previous deadly attack.