By CGTN's Martin Lowe

Street by street, house by house, room by room. Philippine security forces have retaken 90 percent of the area of Marawi City, which was seized by Islamic militants.

Armored vehicles lead the way through the streets of Marawi City. /CGTN Photo

Weapons and ammunition discovered by security forces searching abandoned homes in Marawi City. /CGTN Photo

But the final 10 percent is proving to be the toughest.

Extremists from two groups allied to ISIL -- the Maute and Abu Sayyaf -- took over most of the city, in retaliation after security forces tried to capture their leader.

Police Security Battalion officer kicking down a door to search premises. /CGTN Photo

CGTN correspondent Martin Lowe accompanied security forces in their door-to-door sweep. /CGTN Photo

Two hundred people have been killed in the fighting -- hundreds of civilians remain trapped without food, water or medical supplies. But security forces have vowed to drive the militants from the city.