Philippines war against IS explained

WHAT'S GOING DOWN IN MARAWI?

* Pro-Islamic State militants took over the southern Philippines city of Marawi in May.

* Filippino soldiers have been fighting to take back the city in a conflict that has displaced an estimated 400,000 people.

* IS rebels in Marawi are believed to be receiving direct funding from IS in the Middle East.

DEATH TOLL

* Close to 800 dead including about 600 militants.

CONSEQUENCES

* Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has warned Marawi must not be allowed to become the "Raqqa of south east Asia".

* There are fears foreign fighters in Marawi will return to their home countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia and plot terror attacks locally or against western targets.

HOW IS AUSTRALIA HELPING?

* Defence has sent two P-3 Orion surveillance planes to help with intelligence gathering.

* Canberra has offered special forces soldiers to help train Filipino troops, but Manila is yet to accept.