Fighting spreads as rebels besiege Philippine city

Filipino army soldiers keep watch despite a raging fire on the fourth day of a standoff between government troops and rebels, in the residential village in Zamboanga city, southern Philippines, 12 September 2013 - EPA

ZAMBOANGA (Philippines):  Philippine forces were fighting Muslim rebels on two fronts Thursday as the government recaptured burning sections of a key southern city besieged by guerrillas opposed to peace talks. 

Security forces punched into the Santa Catalina district of Zamboanga city, where thousands of people have fled four days of fighting, as the neighbourhood went up in flames, military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Ramon Zagala said.