Iraq Prime Minister Declares Victory Over The Islamic State

New York Times: Iraq Prime Minister Declares Victory Over ISIS

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi of Iraq declared victory over the Islamic State on Saturday, announcing the end of more than three years of battles to regain control over nearly one-third of the country that had been under the terrorist group’s dominion.

Mr. Abadi’s carefully calibrated statement came months after armed forces had wrested back control over Iraq’s major urban areas, notably its second-largest city, Mosul, and had shifted focus to mopping up remnants of the militants who had escaped or gone underground in the vast desert border areas between Iraq and Syria.

“Our forces fully control the Iraqi-Syrian border, and thus we can announce the end of the war against Daesh,” Mr. Abadi said, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State, known as ISIS or ISIL.

“Our battle was with the enemy that wanted to kill our civilization, but we have won with our unity and determination,” he said.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This declaration may be premature .... 'Defeated' IS still poses

danger in Iraq (AFP). More here .... In 2018 the ISIS fight will shift into a deadly new phase (FOX News).

More News On The Iraqi Prime Minister Declaring Victory Over The Islamic State

The Latest: US congratulates Iraq on end of war against IS -- AP
PM announces on state TV Iraq’s war against IS has ended -- AP
Iraqi PM declares 'end of war against IS' in Iraq -- AFP
Iraq declares final victory over Islamic State -- Reuters
Iraq declares war with Islamic State is over -- BBC News
Iraq is 'fully liberated' from ISIS, its military says -- CNN
ISIS's Last Stand Falls In Iraq, Prime Minister Says -- NPR
Iraqi Prime Minister announces 'the end of the war' against Islamic State in his country -- Daily Mail
Iraq 'totally liberated' from IS, says PM Abadi -- Kurdistan24