group called the Maute group attacked the city. The battle of Marawi—also known as the Marawi siege, the Marawi clash, and the Marawi crisis—started on May 23. CNN Philippines reported that the militants had over 500 men. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law on the island of Mindanao, where the fighting was taking place, initially until December 31, 2017, but was later extended to the end of 2018 and then again to the end of 2019. The city was liberated from militant control on October 17 and battle operations officially ended on October 23. Post-battle period On January 30, 2018, it was announced that a 10-hectare military base will be established in the city to prevent the reentry of terrorists. Geography Marawi has a total land area of . It is located on the northernmost shores of Lake Lanao and straddles the area where the Agus River starts. It is bounded to the north by the municipalities of Kapai and Saguiaran; to the south by Lake Lanao; to the east by the municipalities of Bubong and Ditsaan-Ramain; and to the west by the municipalities of Marantao and Saguiaran. The Bagang beach is situated from the city's commercial center. The Islamic city also hosts a national park, the Sacred Mountain National Park, which spans the barangays of Guimba and Papandayan covering an area of . The protected area was established on August 5, 1965, by Republic Act no. 4190. The park is dominated by Mount Mupo, a tall extinct volcanic cone. The park is ideal for birdwatching and mountain climbing to the summit that features a small pond. Topography Mountains, rolling hills, valleys, and a large placid lake dominate the city's landscape. Angoyao Hills (Barangay Sogod) served as natural viewpoint over the water of the Lake Lanao. Signal Hill (Barangay Matampay), Arumpac Hill (Barangay Saduc), and Mt. Mupo (Barangay Guimba) are considered beautiful but mysterious. Mt. Mupo, located within the Sacred Mountain National Park, is known for its untouched trees and beautiful, perfect cone. Barangays Marawi is politically subdivided into 96 barangays. Ambolong Bacolod Chico Proper Banga Bangco Banggolo Poblacion Bangon Biaba-Damag Bito Buadi Itowa Bito Buadi Parba Bubonga Pagalamatan Bubonga Lilod Madaya Boganga Boto Ambolong Bubonga Cadayonan Bubong Lumbac Bubonga Marawi Bubonga Punod Cabasaran Cabingan Cadayonan Cadayonan II Calocan East Calocan West Kormatan Matampay Daguduban Dansalan Datu Saber (Navarro) Datu Sa Dansalan Dayawan Dimaluna Dulay Dulay West East Basak