REUTERS ISIS have been in control of Marawi for five weeks

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However, South-east Asian governments are still concerned the siege could be just the start of further violence as the twisted group try to establish a foothold in their region. Jolted by an attack on Marawi on May 23, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have launched joint patrols to control the movement of militants across their archipelagic region and their foreign ministers gathered in Manila on Thursday for talks. Malaysia is worried that jihadis who are forced out of Marawi City by the fighting may try to cross from the Philippines to its eastern state of Sabah.

REUTERS A soldier guards a city hall compound

Chilling photographs from inside Mosul Wed, June 21, 2017 Iraqi forces battle to retake the last enclaves held by Islamic State militants Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 12 An Iraqi special forces soldier checks men for explosive belts as they cross from Islamic State controlled part of Mosul to Iraqi forces controlled part of Mosul

South-east Asian governments are still concerned the siege could be just the start of further violence

Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSOM) chief Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid, said: "We fear that they may enter the country disguised as illegal immigrants or foreign fishermen.” ESSOM have drawn up a "wanted" list that included two militants who were behind the attempt to capture Marawi. They are Abu Sayyaf group leader Isnilon Hapilon, who was proclaimed by ISIS last year as its "emir" of Southeast Asia, and Abdullah Maute, whose followers accounted for a large number of the estimated 400 to 500 fighters who overran part of the town, killing Christians and taking dozens of civilians hostage.

REUTERS Ddestroyed houses near the frontline in Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao

Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jo-Ar Herrera said the number of militants holding out in Marawi had dwindled to "a little over 100". Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Tampus said: "Their area has been reduced to 1 km square only." Lt Col Tampus' troops are blocking escape routes across bridges spanning a river to the west of the militants. He said: ”Our forces are coming from the east and the north and we are blocking the three bridges.” Lt Col Tampus confirmed militants were still using snipers who were firing from "strategic nests" in schools and mosques, and homemade bombs were hampering the progress of Philippine troops as they advanced house by house.

REUTERS Philippine soldiers patrol a road at Pigkawayan