Armed U.S. troops
are on the ground near the besieged Marawi City in the Philippines, but
they are in a support role and not participating in fighting Islamic
State militants, a Philippines military spokesman said on Wednesday.
"There
are some U.S. personnel who are operating equipment to provide
information on situation awareness to our troops," Brigadier General
Restituto Padilla told a news conference.
"I
do not know the exact number and the specific mission. They are allowed
to carry rifles for self-defense. But they are not allowed to fight,
they only provide support," he said.
