Marawi City was suddenly deserted. Last Wednesday, tens of thousands of people last week fled this capital of Lanao del Sur province on Mindanao Island. They thronged the roads to exit the city in cars, trucks and buses. Many of them went on foot. All had one objective: to save themselves from the militia, which was set to take over Marawi. "We hoped the government could help," said Lininding Drieza, fleeing with his family.

As of late Tuesday aft