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The Documentary: The other caliphate

The other caliphate

10/04/2021 GMT

BBC World Service - The Documentary, The other caliphate

The Philippines’ fight to contain Islamist extremism in the wake of the Marawi siege

The Philippines’ fight to contain Islamist extremism in the wake of the Marawi siege.

For five brutal months in 2017 the black flag of so-called Islamic State fluttered over a captured city, and thousands of lives were destroyed. But rather than Iraq or Syria, this was a reality in Marawi, in the Philippines.

Anna Foster travels to the heart of a devastated community - still off-limits to most - where ruined buildings cut through with shrapnel and bullet-holes are all that’s left of a once-thriving city.

Five years on reconstruction is slow, and a generation of battle-scarred children are vulnerable. Without permanent homes or schools, they risk being lured by the promise of a better life through violent extremism. How is that very real threat being tackled?

Anna questions the fighters about why they laid siege to their home city in search of an Islamic caliphate, and traces the story of a wanted woman,. Ellen Barriga, who secretly left the Philippines for Syria, and joined the Islamic State group there.

Anna also visits one of the country’s toughest jail wings - a place few get to see - which holds the men behind some of the country’s most devastating attacks. There, in a special classroom, novel work is being done to quell their extremism through education.

(Photo: Destroyed house and car in Marawi, Philippines. Credit: Jewan Abdi)

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