The Philippine Navy dispatched its first-of-class strategic sealift vessel (SSV) and two Ivatan-class heavy landing craft in early June to support the country's fight against the Islamic State-linked militants in Marawi city, Mindanao. The vessels, which were commissioned between 2015 and 2016, were used to deliver armoured vehicles, personnel, and equipment. The operations were seen as a validation of the new ships' amphibious capabilities in Philippine service. Marawi City has been occupied by militants since late May 2017, claiming the conquest for the so-called caliphate.
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