The Battle of Marawi - Timeline

The Battle of Marawi, also known as the Marawi siege and the Marawi crisis is an armed conflict in Marawi, Lanao del Sur, that started on 23 May 2017 between Philippine government security forces and affiliated militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), including the Maute and Abu Sayyaf Salafi jihadist groups. The battle also became the longest urban battle in the modern history of the Philippines.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday declared the liberation of Marawi City from terrorist clutches, a day after terror leaders Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon were killed by terrorists.

Here is a timeline of the war that has claimed hundreds of lives and left one of the Philippines' most bustling urban centers in ruins.

MAY 23: THE SIEGE BEGINS

Members of Islamic State-inspired Maute group clashed with government forces and raised a black flag with an ISIS logo in front of the Amai Pakpak Hospital. Local priest Fr. Chito Soganub and other civilians were taken hostage by the group.

JUNE 6: MAUTE PATRIARCH ARRESTED

The head of the Maute clan was apprehended at a checkpoint in Sirawan, Toril, Davao City.

Cayamora Maute, father of Maute brothers and terrorists Omar and Abdullah, was apprehended in a van that was stopped by Task Force Davao at a checkpoint.

JUNE 9: MAUTE MATRIARCH ARRESTED

Ominta Romato "Farhana" Maute, the mother of the Maute terrorist leaders behind the attack on Marawi City was arrested in Masiu, Lanao del Sur.

She was arrested along with 2 other injured Maute group members after their vehicle was intercepted in Brgy. Kormatan, Masiu town.

JUNE 12: INDEPENDENCE DAY IN MARAWI

A member of the Bureau of Fire and Protection reacts as he remembers soldiers and civilians who were killed during the government troops' assault against the insurgents from the Maute group, who has taken over large parts of the Marawi city, during a national flag raising to mark Independence day in Marawi, Philippines June 12, 2017. Romeo Ranoco, Reuters

The Philippines paid tribute to the brave men and women who died defending the people and the city of Marawi with a tribute video from Malacañang and the military. At the time, 58 government troops have been killed, including Savellano.

JULY 4: SUPREME COURT AFFIRMS MINDANAO MARTIAL LAW

The Supreme Court affirmed Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao with 11 justices voting to uphold the President’s declaration.

Three others voted to limit the declaration to Marawi City, the conflict zone while a lone justice, meanwhile, voted to nullify the proclamation altogether.

SEPT. 22: MILITARY RETAKES MASIU BRIDGE

The military reclaimed the Raya Madaya Bridge, better known as Masiu Bridge—a strategic link within the vicinity of Agus River and Lanao Lake.

OCTOBER 16: ISNILON HAPILON, OMAR MAUTE KILLED IN MILITARY ASSAULT

Isnilon Hapilon, and Omar Maute, top leaders of the Maute group, were killed in a military assault early morning.

OCTOBER 17: MARAWI IS FREE

President Duterte announced the liberation of Marawi City from terrorist clutches, more than 4 months since the crisis began.

Duterte’s announcement comes a day after terror leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute were killed by government troops in a military assault.