Iraqis today celebrated the sixth annual anniversary of the ‘Great Victory Day,’ marking the triumph over ISIS after intense battles across several Iraqi provinces. This victory followed ISIS’s control in mid-2014.
On this occasion, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid recalled with reverence the significant sacrifices made by the armed forces in various formations, and the crucial role of Iraq’s highest religious authority in supporting the nation’s defense and preserving its dignity.
He called for national unity to consolidate security and continue building in honor of the pure blood shed for the country.
Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani, stated that Iraqis are now engaged in battles of reconstruction, fighting corruption, and ensuring service delivery, stemming from the stability achieved through these sacrifices.
Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, acknowledged the global debt to the Iraqi efforts in ending the ISIS ‘state of delusion’ that threatened regional and global security.
He urged for support to the families of martyrs and institutions providing care to them, stating that this image will remain eternal in history and the consciousness of generations.
Defense Minister Thabet Muhammad Said Al-Abassi marked the day as the beginning of a bright chapter illuminating Iraq’s skies after terrorism and its followers tried to plunge the country into darkness. He declared the end of this dark chapter and the world’s biggest modern-day delusion represented by ISIS.
The Iraqi forces, in their various formations, continue to conduct ground and air military operations based on intelligence to target ISIS hideouts in mountainous and desert areas, aiming to eliminate the group’s presence in Iraq completely.
The resurgence of ISIS in Iraq has been a significant concern for the international community, as documented by various reports and analyses. Despite the U.S., European allies, and Middle Eastern strategic partners achieving a notable victory in dismantling the ISIS proto-state, or “caliphate,” in Syria and Iraq, this did not fully defeat ISIS in either country or eliminate the threat of extremism. The breakup of the caliphate has led to a reduction in fighting against ISIS in Iraq and Eastern Syria, but it has not resolved the broader issues contributing to extremism in the region.
The UN team investigating crimes committed by Da’esh (ISIS) has issued a report documenting the terrorist group’s atrocities in Iraq, which is expected to lay the groundwork for future prosecutions. This report highlights the heinous crimes of sexual violence perpetrated by ISIL fighters during their reign. It follows detailed fieldwork on the development and use of chemical weapons by the terrorist group against the Shia Turkmen minority in northern Iraq. The report aims to hold ISIS accountable for its actions, emphasizing the importance of international law and cooperation in these efforts.
