Mosques, Islamic center intact despite airstrikes in Marawi City

Two mosques in Marawi City survived several airstrikes and full-blown ground operations on Tuesday as the military began its "final push" to defeat the ISIS-inspired Maute forces in Marawi City.

The massive explosion caused by the bomb dropped by an FA-50 fighter jet of the Philippine Air  Force was seen in the report of GMA News' Ian Cruz for "24 Oras."

The move was part of the heightened effort to reclaim the Masiu bridge in Barangay Raya Madaya, the last of three bridges occupied by the terrorist group.

A mosque located within the main battle area and the Islamic Center remained intact and would need minor renovations.

As seen in photos, the fighting left a few holes on its dome and several more on its walls.

The structure was believed to have served as a shelter for Maute millitants and their hostages.

As of the 106th day of battle, the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) listed the fatalities, 641 members of the terror group and 145 from the government side.

A source told GMA News that more soldiers were wounded during the armed conflict on Tuesday.

"During the...final push, normally, doon nagkakaroon talaga ng major battles and major engagement and it is expected that during those final push, doon magkakaroon ng close-quarter battle in the sense na doon magiging the bloodiest," Westmincom chief Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez Jr. said.

The government has positioned additional troops from the elite Seaborne of the Special Action Force (SAF) under the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army's Light Reaction Company. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News