Marawi is an island in the southern part of Mindanao in the Philippines, where it is also the largest populated by Muslims. The Battle of Marawi, also known as the Siege of Marawi and the Marawi Crisis, was a five-month armed conflict in Marawi, Lanao del Sur, beginning on May 23, 2017, between Philippine government security forces and militants affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), including the Salafi jihadist groups Maute and Abu Sayyaf. The battle also became the longest urban battle in modern Philippine history. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the fighting in Marawi was due to a raid conducted by the military in coordination with the Philippines The national police, contrary to previous reports, said the clash was provoked by militant groups. Rolando Bautista, commanding general of the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry Division, said he received reports of impending activity two to three weeks ahead of schedule. While the combined military and local police team conducted zoning in Marawi to validate information that suspicious personalities, including Omar and Abdullah Maute, were consolidating in the area, their team instead located Isnilon Hapilon. According to the Philippine military, Hapilon had been appointed emir of IS forces in the Philippines and was consolidating his group with the Maute and other terrorist groups. After Marawi residents reported the presence of an armed group in their area and after the AFP verified the information, the military launched a "surgical operation" to capture Hapilon only to come across an entire city of armed men. The entire city was seized. block as several buildings and houses were set on fire by members of the Maute group. Electricity and communication lines were also cut due to the continuing hostilities. Roads leading to Marawi have been blocked by both government security forces and Maute militants. The army is using fighter planes and helicopters to blast militants outside the city on the island of Mindanao, which has been a war zone for three weeks. The Philippine Air Force launched strikes against remnants of the group in three nearby villages. Residents reported seeing civilians killed after the military dropped bombs on positions in Maute. Sources said the houses were targeted due to the presence of Maute snipers. Almost the entire population of around 200,000 people has fled, but beyond the checkpoints that delimit it there are still hundreds of civilians who cannot leave due to the violence or are held hostage. According to the head of the AFP Western Mindanao Command, Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez Jr., homes in the area were intentionally set on fire to prevent them from being used as cover by the Maute. Limited airstrikes on Maute sniper positions were also used. Galvez said there were no reports of civilians killed in the airstrikes, and that he hoped they would also keep military casualties low. 1st Infantry Division spokesman Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera said they have identified where they are consolidating, then are carrying out surgical airstrikes to destroy the local terrorist group. Military troops and the Special Action Force continued clearance operations, checking every house and building in the city center. Misuari ordered the Moro National Liberation Front to fight any Maute in Lanaoof the South. Misuari offered a unit of 500 to 700 MNLF fighters to help fight the extremists. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the government have agreed to establish a "peace corridor" in Lanao del Sur as part of an effort to speed up humanitarian operations for displaced Marawi residents. The corridor extends from Marawi to the city of Malabang. A friendly fire incident occurred. Eleven soldiers were reported killed and seven others injured by a military airstrike as government security forces struggled to clear remnants of militant groups from the city. The accident occurred when a SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 turboprop aircraft providing close air support "over militant positions in Marawi" dropped a bomb that accidentally hit an army unit engaged in close combat with militants . Two Philippine Air Force planes bombed rebel positions, but one plane missed its target and instead hit government troops on the ground, killing 10 soldiers. Senator Antonio Trillanes called the incident "tragic and unfortunate" and called on the military to ensure similar incidents never happen again. Over the weekend, it was confirmed that US Special Forces joined Philippine troops to help end the siege, according to a US embassy. The Philippine military confirmed that US special forces would assist local troops in ending the siege, but only to provide technical support. On June 4, 2017, a ceasefire agreement was reached between the Philippine government and ISIL fighters remaining in central Marawi. This ceasefire had been facilitated by the MILF, which Duterte had asked to help negotiate a deal by which civilians still trapped in the city could be evacuated. The ceasefire was set for four hours. However, Philippine military units present in the city refused to accept the terms of the ceasefire and only allowed the evacuation of individuals on the fringes of ISIL-controlled areas. Authorities said the total number of civilian casualties rose, all killed by militants, while local residents said airstrikes had killed dozens of civilians. On June 23, the Philippine government accepts Australia's offer to send two AP-3C Orion surveillance aircraft to assist the Philippine Armed Forces in Marawi. Two surveillance planes committed by Australia have begun conducting operations in Marawi. Filipino pilots and technicians are on board the aircraft and will help relay information to forces on the ground. The mission involving Australian aircraft will last two weeks. Another friendly fire occurred again when an FA-50PH Golden Eagle fighter aircraft missed a target by 250 meters (820 ft) killing two soldiers and wounding 11 others. All FA-50s were grounded pending an investigation while other Philippine Air Force aircraft remained operational in Marawi. Duterte is considering extending martial law until the end of the year, i.e. December 31. The president insists on the need for martial law for faster rehabilitation of Marawi after the battle ends. Duterte said the Marawi crisis has given rise to a "newly evolving type of urban warfare" and his declaration of martial law in Mindanao is aimed at combating this threat. Militant control of the Mapandi Bridge ended on July 20 when government forces took control of the structure. The military pushes militant leaders and corners them in a battle zone limited to 500 square meters..