IED event in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Lanao del Sur area, Philippines on Sun 3rd December 2023

On 3 December 2023, 4 people were killed during the explosion of an IED planted by suspected Islamic State militants or Dawlah Islamiyah - Maute Group militants, inside a gym at Mindanao State University in Marawi City (Lanao del Sur, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). At least 40 individuals were wounded. A Catholic mass, attended mostly by students, was being held when the IED exploded. Authorities said that the attack could be in retaliation for recent military actions targeting Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) and Abu Sayyaf Group. They are considering the possibility of a retaliatory act by the DI - Maute Group, prompted by the firefight between the military and Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) that led to 11 militant fatalities on 1 December 2023, and given also that the Maute Group is present in Lanao del Sur. Meanwhile, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the explosion through their Telegram channels, but authorities are still validating the group's claim. Authorities arrested one of the suspects, whom they believe is an accomplice of the one who planted the bomb, and are looking into the possible affiliation of the arrested suspect with the Maute group. Authorities also said that they identified 2 persons of interest in the bombing who are affiliated with the Maute Group.