The Siege of Marawi was the longest urban battle in modern Philippine history, lasting five months against IS-affiliated militants.
Key Facts
- Duration
- Five months (May 23 – October 23, 2017)
- Conflict type
- Urban battle
- Militant groups
- Maute group and Abu Sayyaf (IS-affiliated)
- Liberation declared
- October 17, 2017 by President Duterte
- Official end announced
- October 23, 2017 by Defense Secretary Lorenzana
- Militant objective
- Declare IS wilayat (province) in Lanao del Sur
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Philippine security forces launched an offensive in Marawi on May 23, 2017, to capture Isnilon Hapilon, leader of the IS-affiliated Abu Sayyaf group. Intelligence indicated Hapilon was in the city to meet with the Maute group. When government forces moved in, Hapilon's fighters opened fire and called for Maute reinforcements, triggering a full-scale armed confrontation.
Maute group militants seized several key sites in Marawi, including Camp Ranao, City Hall, Mindanao State University, a hospital, and the city jail. They set fire to Saint Mary's Cathedral and other institutions, took hostages including a Catholic priest, and sought to raise the IS flag over the Lanao del Sur Provincial Capitol to declare an Islamic State province.
After five months of intense urban combat, militant leaders Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon were killed on October 16, 2017. President Duterte declared Marawi liberated the following day, and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana formally announced the battle's end on October 23. The conflict left the city heavily damaged and became the longest urban battle in modern Philippine history.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Delfin Lorenzana (Defense Secretary).
Side B
2 belligerents
Omar Maute, Isnilon Hapilon.