In Pictures

Gaining ground: The battle for Marawi

Name: Gaining ground: The battle for Marawi
Uploaded: 2017-10-30T11:08:14Z
Description: Philippines forces have taken back Marawi City, but fears of another ISIL assault weigh on residents as they rebuild.

Philippines forces have taken back Marawi City, but fears of another ISIL assault weigh on residents as they rebuild.

This mosque was the site of one of the first battles between ISIL and government forces in Marawi, southern Philippines, in May. As government forces retreated, the armed group took over the city. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

By Steve Chao

The arrest of ISIL‘s Southeast Asia leader, Isnilon Hapilon, should have been a straightforward task for the Philippines forces, but the strength, preparedness and ferocity of the ISIL leader’s followers led to a five-month-long military offensive.

Fighting erupted on the streets of Marawi, a city situated on the southern island of Mindanao.

Gunmen burned buildings, including a Catholic church, the city jail and two schools before occupying the main streets and major bridges of the city. Churchgoers and residents were taken hostage and a police officer was beheaded.

It not only shocked the city’s residents and the nation but also sent panic through the region – ISIL had arrived in Southeast Asia and was looking to carve out a caliphate.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law across the entire island of Mindanao and predicted the battle would be over within weeks, but the armed fighters remained dug in – many willing to fight to the end.

Months of heavy combat between ISIL and government forces prompted hundreds of thousands to flee the city and left more than 1,000 dead.

101 East embedded with the Philippine forces, as they pushed into areas that had been under siege since May, seeing first-hand what is left of the city.

Much had been reduced to rubble and smoking ruins and it’s estimated that it will take more than $1bn to rebuild Marawi.

But there are concerns about future attacks and warnings that ISIL fighters are gearing up for the next assault – as the group is trying to gain ground in Southeast Asia.

After five months of aerial bombardments and close-quarter fighting between ISIL and government forces, the city of Marawi lies in ruins. The government estimates it will take more than $1 billion to — After five months of aerial bombardments and close-quarter fighting between ISIL and government forces, the city of Marawi lies in ruins. The government estimates it will take more than $1bn to rebuild the city. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

On May 23, hundreds of armed supporters of ISIL surprised the Philippine government and took over Marawi city in the country’s south. Spray painted messages show the group’s aim - to forge an Islamic — On May 23, hundreds of armed supporters of ISIL surprised the Philippine government and took over Marawi city in the country’s south. Spray painted messages show the group's aim - to forge an Islamic caliphate for ISIL in Southeast Asia. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

Smoke from heavy fighting billows across Marawi city. The centre of town was decimated as Philippine forces tried to retake the city. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

A platoon of Philippine soldiers patrols through the wreckage of downtown Marawi. Months of aerial and ground bombardment between the government and ISIL forces have reduced the city to rubble. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

A squad of Philippine troops leaves the battlefield in Marawi for a few hours break. Soldiers spent five months on the frontlines engaging ISIL fighters in a bid to recapture the city. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

This woman is one of the 300,000 residents who fled Marawi city when ISIL laid siege to the town in May. Many now live in tight quarters in evacuation centres spread throughout the region. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

Young children wash themselves outside an evacuation centre near Marawi. The government can’t say how long it will take to rebuild the city and when residents can return home. — Young children wash themselves outside an evacuation centre near Marawi. The government cannot say how long it will take to rebuild the city and when residents can return home. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]