Maute group facts for kids
| Dawlah Islamiya | |
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Quick facts for kids 
The flag of IS, adopted by Dawlah Islamiya after swearing allegiance to ISIL
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| Also known as | Islamic State of Lanao IS Ranao Maute Group (until 2019) |
| Leaders | Owayda Benito Marohombsar a.k.a. Abu Dar † Omar Maute † Abdullah Maute † Amin Bacu |
| Foundation | 2012 |
| Dates of operation | 2013–2019 • 2023–present |
| Split from | Moro Islamic Liberation Front |
| Country | Philippines |
| Active regions | Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Sur |
| Ideology | Salafi jihadism |
| Notable attacks |
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| Size | Unknown |
| Means of revenue | Protection rackets |
| Part of |  Islamic State |
| Allies | Abu Sayyaf Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters |
| Opponents |  Philippines MILF |
| Designated as a terrorist group by | Philippines Malaysia New Zealand |
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Dawlah Islamiya, also known as the Islamic State of Lanao, was once called the Maute Group. It is a radical Islamist group formed by former fighters from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and some foreign fighters. The group is based in Lanao del Sur, a province in the Philippines.
The Maute Group was started by two brothers, Abdullah Maute and Omar Maute. They were known for demanding money from businesses in the town of Butig. The group has had many fights with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The most well-known conflict was the Siege of Marawi in May 2017.
The Philippines, Malaysia, and New Zealand have officially listed Dawlah Islamiya as a terrorist organization.
Contents
History of Dawlah Islamiya
How the Group Started
The group, first called Dawlah Islamiya, began in 2012. It was founded by brothers Abdullah Maute and Omar Maute. Some people described them as small-time criminals at first. However, other reports say the Maute family was rich and had strong political connections.
The mother of the Maute brothers, Ominta Romato Maute (also known as Farhana Maute), owned land in Mindanao and Manila. She also ran a construction business. She was related to important politicians in Butig, Lanao del Sur and was seen as very influential. Many believed she helped fund the group's activities, provided supplies, and found new fighters. Because the whole Maute family was involved, their rise is sometimes called the rise of "family terrorism" in the Philippines.
Butig, where the Maute group had its main base, was also a stronghold for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The two groups had ties through family or marriage. Abdullah and Omar Maute were cousins of Azisa Romato, whose husband was a former MILF leader buried in Butig. The Maute brothers themselves were once members of the MILF.
Early Fights with Philippine Forces
The Philippine Army first met the Maute group in a firefight in 2013. The group attacked a security checkpoint in Madalum, Lanao del Sur. At that time, the group was thought to have over 100 members. They reportedly received equipment from a foreign terrorist group. They were also said to be connected to Jemaah Islamiya, a terrorist group in Southeast Asia.
In February 2016, the group fought with Philippine Army troops. This led to the capture of their base in Butig, Lanao del Sur. It was first reported that Omar Maute was killed, but he later escaped. In November 2016, the Maute group took over the town of Butig. However, Philippine forces quickly removed them after about a week of fighting.
Reports also stated that two officers from the Philippine National Police left their jobs and joined the Maute group.
Joining the Islamic State
In April 2015, the Maute group promised loyalty to the Islamic State (IS). Another terrorist group, Ansar Khalifa Philippines, also joined this promise. They all vowed to support each other. However, some experts say there is no sign that IS ever officially accepted the Maute group's pledge.
Even though the Maute group was often seen carrying black flags with the IS symbol, the mayor of Butig town said they were not part of IS. He claimed they were just armed local residents. Yet, training guides and other papers for IS fighters were found in their captured camp. This showed the group might have been trying to connect with IS.
In October 2016, a security expert noted that the Maute group was very good at using social media. They were able to attract students and teachers from the Mindanao State University in Marawi. This also drew many Wahhabi followers in the Philippines to join them.
More Terrorist Actions
As IS faced problems in Syria and Iraq, experts warned that many fighters from Indonesia and Malaysia might return home. These fighters could look for new places to continue their fight. The Maute group's promise of loyalty to IS could encourage these fighters to join them. Since 2016, reports showed that terrorist groups in Southeast Asia were working more closely with IS in Syria and Iraq.
The Maute group was also said to be actively recruiting young people to fight. They used the failure of the Bangsamoro Basic Law to pass as a reason to gain support.
Davao City Bombing
On October 4, 2016, three men linked to the Maute group were arrested. They were connected to the 2016 Davao City bombing. These men were TJ Tagadaya Macabalang, Wendel Apostol Facturan, and Musali Mustapha. The Defence Secretary, Delfin Lorenzana, said the Maute group had ties with Abu Sayyaf. He also noted "indications" that the group was joining with ISIS. On November 28, the Philippine government officially confirmed that Maute was linked to ISIS.
Battle of Marawi
On May 23, 2017, the Maute group attacked Marawi City. The Armed Forces of the Philippines later surrounded the city. This attack caused much damage, including destroyed homes and injuries to soldiers, police, and civilians. A mosque was burned, and a hospital was taken over. The former leader of Abu Sayyaf, Isnilon Hapilon, was seen with the group during the attack. Because of this attack, President Duterte declared martial law across the entire island of Mindanao.
Most people who had to leave their homes were housed in different villages, called barangays, in Iligan. On June 1, 2017, the mayor of Iligan told residents with legal firearms to shoot any terrorists who entered their property.
Leaders Killed
Omar Maute was killed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines on October 16, 2017. Isnilon Hapilon, the former Abu Sayyaf chief, was also killed. After seven Maute brothers died, the armed forces said the group was "practically wiped out." While the public was told not to worry, younger members of the group might take over leadership.
After the Marawi Battle
In December 2017, it was reported that parts of the group were recruiting new members around Marawi. This new group was called the "Turaifie group," after its supposed leader, Abu Turaifie. Abu Turaifie is the nickname of Esmail Sheikh Abdulmalik. He led a group that broke away from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
In May 2018, the Philippine military said that Owayda Benito Marohomsar, also known as Abu Dar, was now the group's leader. He had escaped with many Maute fighters during the Battle of Marawi. Since then, he had been actively recruiting new members. He used money taken from a local bank and from the empty homes of rich residents.
Decline and End
On January 24, 2019, a fierce gunfight happened between soldiers and Maute group terrorists. Three soldiers and three terrorists were injured in Sultan Dumalondong, Lanao del Sur. Days before, five militants had surrendered to the military near a base in Lanao del Sur.
On March 12, two IS-linked militants and two Philippine soldiers were killed in a gunfight in Pagayawan, Lanao del Sur. This attack was blamed on Dawlah Islamiyah Ranao, a remaining part of the Maute-Abu Sayaff Group. This group led the Marawi siege in May 2017. Days later, on March 14, four IS-linked Maute followers and three soldiers were killed. Three other soldiers went missing after a strong firefight in Tubaran, Lanao del Sur. A DNA test in April confirmed that Maute leader Owayda Marohomsar, also known as Abu Dar, was one of the four terrorists killed.
On June 19, a Pakistani member named Waqar Ahmad, 36, was arrested and later sent out of the country. Authorities suspected he had ties to terrorists and was working without a permit. He was arrested after many days of watching him at his Pakistani uncle's appliance store. The authorities believed the group planned an attack like the 2019 Indanan bombings. On June 21, an Indonesian militant who fought with the Maute Group during the Marawi siege in 2017 was found guilty of illegally having a handgun.
Return in 2023
| 2023–2024 Dawlah Islamiya insurgency | |||||
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| Part of the War on terror and War against the Islamic State | |||||
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| Belligerents | |||||
| Philippines MILF |
Islamic State |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||
 Bongbong Marcos Gerrardo Barrientos Jr. Ibrahim Macadato Murad Ebrahim Akmad Abas |
Nasser Daud Khadafi Mimbesa † Abu Zacharia † |
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| Units involved | |||||
 Armed Forces of the Philippines |
Dawlah Islamiya |
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| Strength | |||||
| ≈2,000 soldiers | Unknown | ||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||
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11 soldiers killed, 11+ injured 9 MILF members killed |
67 killed | ||||
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11 civilians killed, 50+ injured |
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Between 2020 and 2022, many militants, soldiers, police officers, and civilians were killed. This happened mostly during army operations to capture the remaining members of the group.
In 2023, the group became active again and started using the name Dawlah Islamiya. The Philippine government announced that the militants who survived were reorganizing to bring the group back.
