Hanoi (VNA) –Australiawill send troops to assist the Philippines in the ongoing battle againstIslamic State (IS) fighters in the southern city of Marawi, Australia’s DefenceMinister Marise Payne said on September 8.

Small contingents ofAustralian soldiers will be sent to train Philippine troops, Payne said duringa press conference with her Philippine counterpart, Delfin Lorenzana in Manila.

Australia is committedto supporting the Philippines in its efforts to defend itself against terroristthreats facing the region, she said, calling for joint efforts to defeat thesethreats.

A spokesman of Paynesaid further details of the training contingent would be determined in comingdays.

However, no Australiantroops will be actively involved in the fighting, Minister Lorenza said,applauding Australia’s assistance.

On August 29, at ameeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Australian ForeignMinister JulieBishop talked about Australia’s proposals to support Philippine troops.

The IS militants haveswept through Marawi city on the southern island of Mindanao since May 23,killing more than 800 people  anddisplacing more than 500,000 others.

Given this, PresidentDuterte has extended martial law on the Mindanao island until the end of thisyear to make it easier for security forces to fight the terrorists.-VNA